I was recently pondering once again the life of Absalom when I came across 2 Samuel 18:18:

18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day. (NIV)

Several things stand out to me by I will only post this one thought:

Something you build may last forever; but will really people remember you in the right way and for the right reason?

When our identity is wrapped up in what we do rather than abiding in Christ, we are headed for a train wreck.

God help me to always be abiding…and not simply always doing!

Services continue Monday through Wednesday February 8-10 at Unity Gospel Tabernacle in Graysville Tennessee with Pastors Russ and Shawnta Hillian. If you are the East Tennessee area we would love to see you in one of these services.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in East Tennessee, Absalom, Spirit of Absalom, Unity Gospel Tabernacle, abiding in Christ, drawing closer to God, identity

Fasting and prayer is not a way to bribe God into doing some thing for you. Fasting brings your flesh under subjection to the Holy Spirit so He can speak some things to you. I have come to the conclusion that no matter what the church does to draw closer to Jesus someone is going to criticize it. The sad part is it comes from people within the church! That’s sad.

Yes the church of Jesus Christ is not what we should be, could be or need to be; but if we all keep seeking Him the 2 Chronicles 7:14 way…I have a bulletin for you: we are not what we are going to be! God IS going to hear our prayer, AND forgive our sin AND heal our land!

What ever you do in an attempt to draw closer to God; causes God to draw closer to you!

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Technorati Tags: revival, repentance, fasting, prayer, humility, drawing closer to God, answered prayer

All my Christian life I have head this passage preached that these were five believers and five unbelievers; five saved people and five unsaved.

It dawned on me that this is not true! Look at Matthew 25: 1-4

1.Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3.They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

First thing I notice is these are ten virgins. So many times we look at scripture from an American mindset and we miss some powerful spiritual truths. We assume that everyone that studies numerology is involved in witchcraft or superstition and we just write them off of being a crack head. Every word and every number in the Bible was God inspired and carries a powerful spiritual truth that we need the mind of Christ to reveal to us.

The number 10 in Scripture is the number of covenant. When God established covenant with Israel, He did it with 10 Commandments. Secondly, these were virgins. Virgins were pure, undefiled, holy, separated, set apart with a specific function and duty. In this case, they were charged with being ready to shine their lamps to light the way fro the bridegroom to come and take his bride away!

These virgins we dedicated to the cause of God! THEY WERE VIRGINS! They were believers. All of them. But Jesus emphatically states five were wise virgins. Verse 4 tells us the wise took vessels filled with oil as well as their lamps with them.

These lamps Jesus is referring to were not Coleman Lanterns or the hurricane lamps we have in our homes for an emergency when the power goes out. They were sticks with strips of shredded cloth wrapped around the end of the stick that had been soaked in oil to be ready to be used when needed. These lamps (sticks) were designed to need constant care and refilling with oil in order to function properly. They didn’t have a reservoir of oil with a wick or a tube feeding the oil to the burning cloths. They needed constant attention and they needed oil to be poured onto it…constantly. I am ready to shout right now!!!!!!!!!

Then we have the foolish virgins. Again these were not unsaved people; these were not ignorant people who didn’t know what was about to take place. They knew the bridegroom was coming. That’s the reason they were there. The event they had trained and prepared for was about to arrive. But when the call came they forgot something very important: Oil. They didn’t have enough oil!

There is much more here that I don’t have time to expound on. My question to you is, do you have enough oil? Many who read this blog shutter to hear anyone preach or teach unconditional eternal security. Yet, many Spirit filled believers live their lives as once filled, always filled!

Do you have enough oil? I didn’t ask you have you spoken in tongues? I did not ask you had you felt the Presence of God today? I didn’t ask did you read five chapters from the Bible today?

Do you have enough oil!

Is your life burning as brightly today as it did when you first gave you life to Jesus?

The road of life is littered with men and women who started out all right; and ended up all wrong. They had enough oil to start…but not enough to finish. I want to finish strong in the Lord and in the power of His mighty!

Lord, help me make sure I have enough oil!

Technorati Tags: revival, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit outpouring, oil, fire, backsliding, repentance, restoration, parable of 10 virgins, sanctification, consecration, holiness, purity

This is not going to go away for many years. The Haitian people are going to need our help for many years to come. In fact, I am not ashamed to say this; if it wasn’t for the missionaries and mission organizations like Miriam Fredrick, Dan & Sheila Lynch, Ted & Lisa Hojara; people who have labored there for many years, Haiti would have imploded a long time ago.

We begin revival services in Andalusia Alabama at West Highland Assembly of God with Pastor Joel Calhoun Sunday through Wednesday; then next weekend back to Pattison Texas with our friends and family Pastors Brad & Ann Marie Morgan and New Life Beginnings Church.

Something mighty is stirring in the atmosphere. I hear the sound of an abundance of rain!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, Haiti, Haiti earthquake relief, Miriam Frederick, New Life Children’s Home Haiti, God’s Plumbline, Heart of Jonathan, New Life Beginnings Church, Pastor Brad Morgan, Holy Spirit outpouring, West Highland Assembly of God Andalusia Alabama, rain, abundance of rain

And then Haiti. I can’t even watch the news anymore because I know I can’t get there to help. No matter the reason for Haiti being in the situation it is in, it could be any of us lying under the pile of rubble!

This is not going to go away in a week. This will take years to recover from. And what people are not realizing is, there will be THOUSANDS OF ORPHANS left to care for! THOUSANDS! Before the earthquake happened, orphanages would find children and babies lying abandoned at their front doors because Mom’s and Dad’s couldn’t feed and care for them. Churches and ministries have been on the frontlines serving in Haiti long before this happened; and they remain on the frontlines, long after CNN, FOX and MSNBC is gone.

Thank you for the giving to us toward this project. Thank you for the millions, if not billions of dollars that have been channeled through Samaritans Purse, Food for the Poor, Compassion International…all these organizations are doing a tremendous work reaching out to the Haitian people. Not just because of this disaster, but they have had on going works there for many years.

It will never make the news; but the church IS arising to address the needs there; and He is using people like us!

We have chosen to funnel any relief money that comes to us through World Harvest Missions, God’s Plumbline Ministries and Heart of Jonathan Ministries. I know these people personally, we have partnered together on many outreaches to both Haiti and Guyana, and I know they will use the money wisely.

These groups combined have orphanages, Women’s homes, a Sewing School for Ladies, adoption ministries, and regular medical clinics. They are not newcomers to Haiti but have been in the country for many years. They know how to get the job done!

In the midst of tragedy and turmoil, Jesus is STILL Lord and God will take the worst thing that could happen to anyone and make something good come out of it!

Technorati Tags: Haiti, earthquake relief, World Harvest Missions, God’s Plumbline Ministries, Heart of Jonathan, Dan & Sheila Lynch, Miriam Frederick, Ted & Lisa Hojara, orphanages in Haiti, outreaches in Haiti, Beauregard Alabama, revival in Alabama

You may have never heard of them, but they have been faithful in serving the Lord in Haiti for many years flying under the radar, doing the work of God. All three of these ministries have orphanages and/or Womens outreaches to address the desperate needs of the Haitian people.

New Life Children’s Home/World Harvest Missions
Miriam Frederick
P.O. Box 6462
Lake Worth Florida 33466
561-868-5005

http://miriamfrederick.org

God’s Plumbline Ministries
Dan & Sheila Lynch
4208 Shallowford Rd
Marietta, Georgia  30062
404-697-2475
http://godsplumblineministries.blogspot.com

Heart of Jonathan Ministries
Ted & Lisa Hojara
P.O. Box 328123
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33332
954-734-4908
954-214-3522
http://hojoministries.moonfruit.com

Again, these three ministries are VERY WORTHY of any support you can channel in their direction. Thank you for being sensitive to the leading of the Lord Jesus.

34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40

Technorati Tags: Haiti, Haiti earthquake relief, orphanages in Haiti, World Harvest Missions, God’s Plumbline Ministries, Heart of Jonathan

By now you have seen the news reports and images from the devastating earthquske that hit Haiti on Tuesday January 12. We are working with and have been supporting for many years several different mission groups who have had an established presence in the country of Haiti for many years. Those who are long standing readers of Revival Journal know I never ask for money on this venue. But this needs the attention of the whole Body of Christ as well as the whole world. We began our work as missionary evangelists eight years ago as short term minister to Haiti.

If you would like to make a donation for relief work in Haiti 100% of what you give to Revival Now Ministries designated for Haiti will be send to these groups we are working with. Go to our website http://revivalnow.org/give and give securely through PayPal; or you can call us at 706-773-1546.

Thank you in advance for any help the Lord speaks to your heart about.

David Copeland

Technorati Tags: Haiti relief, short term missions, short term earthquake relief, secure giving

Services begin at 7:30pm Eastern Time, 6:30pm Central Time. You can also watch the services live in the internet at http://beauregardchurch.org .

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in Alabama, Beauregard Revival Center, Holy Spirit outpouring, is revival for today, Opelika Alabama, Beauregard Alabama. Pastors Johnny & Jean Hamby

The Move of God that is coming on the earth is not going to be for one church one particular ministry or denomination; it will be for the whole body of Christ.

It will awaken the whole Body of Christ to be able to receive the end time harvest

I am not trying to sound goofy or stupid when I say this:

Alabama winning the National Championship carries a spiritual significance in that God is calling Alabama to lead the nation spiritually…not just alphabetically or in college football. I’ve been saying this now for the last 2-3 years. This winning the National Championship will cause a light to be shined on the state of Alabama as a whole; but it will also begin to highlight some positive things that Alabama is known for and capable of doing.

In many parts of the country Alabama is known in a negative light. Some believe that we are simply a bunch of uneducated rednecks that intermarry within our own families, hold a Bible in one hand and a gun or six pack of beer in another. God is beginning to change not only other’s perception of who we are, but He is also changing the way we look at ourselves!

Alabama is Choctow Indian word which means to cut a thicket; this signifies the apostolic mantle that is on the Godly spiritual leaders, churches and ministries of this state to seek God…go after God until our destiny is completely fulfilled!

We must cut through the thickets of racism…religion…rebellion…doubt and unbelief; specifically mindsets that would stop this move of God that will bring in the end time harvest

Again the coming move of God will not be to make one church or ministry famous and popular; nor will God allow it to be packaged merchandised and sold…our job is to break through, give birth to it and in so doing, I am feeling simultaneously it will spring up in other parts of the country and around the world!

This coming move of God will be to equip the Body of Christ to both reap AND keep the end time harvest!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Alabama, coming move of God, definition of Alabama

We began our new year in Opelika Alabama at Beauregard Revival Center. Pastors Johnny and Jean Hamby are dear friends of our and Beauregard Church is one of our most faithful church partners. This congregation is very dear to our heart as they were the very first church to begin supporting us monthly over 8 years ago.

If you are within driving distance of Auburn/Opelika Alabama we invite you to be a part of this Winter Campmeeting. Services begin at 6:30 pm Central Time. You can also watch us via the live stream at http://beauregardchurch.org and click live stream.

I also want to say a big thank you Jesus to all the people and churches that are participating in fasting and prayer during the beginning of this year. The number seems to have grown from last year according to reports I am receiving.

While some may use fasting to try to impress or cut a deal with God to show Him their spirituality, I believe the main focus 99% of the people I know have is a desperation to touch God, crucify this flesh man and to get in a position with God so we can be used by Him in the coming days.

Anything you give up or do with the motive of getting closer to God, he will honor!

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

Technorati Tags: revival, revival in East Alabama, Pastor Johnny & Jean Hamby outpouring of the Holy Spirit, worship, praise, fasting, drawing closer to God, prophetic, Beauregard Revival Center, Opelika Alabama

In each generation God raises up young voices with the heart of God beating so strongly in them it literally shakes a generation. I believe Andrew Peters is such a young man. He calls me somewhat of a spiritual father to him, but really he teaches me more than I teach him!

Andrew is currently serving in the Army in another country. While he is serving our country militarily, he also has his face in God’s face; and he is hearing from him. Please read the following word he posted on his Facebook page. If you are on Facebook, connect with he and his wife Nikki. When he gets back from his tour next fall, look for us: I’m going to be the one carrying his Bible for him while he preaches revival meetings across the country! It’s a long writing, but please read it all; I think you will know in your spirit God is NOT through our young people or with America yet!

‘The Church is trading in the Ephod of Caiaphas for the Robe of John the Baptist.’

In Biblical times, what a person wore, what they dressed in was very much connected to who they were. Clothes not only conveyed social status, but also we closely connected, often signifying, your identity in this present world.

In the passage about Bartimeaus receiving his sight the Bible tells us in Mark 10: 49-50 that ‘Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.’

That cloak identified him as a blind man. He threw that cloak down in faith that he was about to receive his sight. He cast off his old identity of a blind man in faith before he even received his sight and new identity from Jesus! Can we in faith cast off the old self, the old identity and pick up our identity in Christ. I declare that ‘the one that makes all things new is on the inside of you. Cast off the old self and put on Christ!’

The same is seen in those that had leprosy. Those that were Jewish with a skin disease had to wear garments that showed that they were unclean, that they had leprosy that IDENTIFIED them as having leprosy. Why do you think Naaman was so desperate to be made clean from his leprosy (2 Kings 5)? By day, his clothes showed that he was the general of the armies of Syria, but by night, under his identity, under his clothing, he had to peel off the bottom layer of clothes from his skin, the last layer of his identity to cover up who he really was.

We see this identification through garments even today. How do you know that I’m a U.S. Soldier? It’s because of the uniform I put on and the boots I lace up every day. How do I tell the navy apart from the air force? It’s the uniform that gives the identification.

How do you distinguish the affluent from the impoverished in society? I know all of you are more holy than me and don’t notice such trivial things, but I notice the clothes a person has on. For instance, would you give money to a beggar wearing Armani? I thought not.

This same characterization of identity through garments is seen in the Church. Where she once wore garments, not of worldly affluence, but of divine power she has traded in for the attire of an adulteress, given to the other lovers than our true bridegroom!

Where she once wore the Armor of God, ready for war, she is now content with comfortable silken garments as a sign of affluence gained through earthly endeavors.

This type of bride may ‘win’ many people, but it will be of the most shallow version of Christianity imaginable. God is not concerned with numbers, He is concerned with depth, He is concerned with a genuine heart. I refuse to raise up a generation that when all is said and done God will say of them ‘you praise me with your lips, but your hearts are far from me (Is. 29:13).’ Far be it from me God to pour out my life and have such empty fruit!

Yet this garment that of laziness and worldly affluence the church proudly wears. The church loves the adornment of the garments of Pharisees! Woe unto us that desire this prosperity, this so-called success, at the expense of true Gospel of the Kingdom, true depth in won souls, true persuasion that the Gospel is true and of utmost eternal significance as opposed to it simply being a good moral decision!

This is not new. I am reminded in a conversation St. Francis of Assisi had with the Pope. The pope proclaimed, ‘No longer can the church say as St. Peter, ‘silver and gold have we none.’ And St. Francis proclaimed, ‘True! And no longer she say ‘rise up and walk’ either!’

We have a form of Godliness, but lack the POWER thereof!

The Church at large is in a bad way right now. But I declare that there is a Remnant Rising! And this Remnant will begin to take of the Ephod of Caiaphas and begin to clothe the Church in the Robe of camel’s hair that John the Baptist wore.

The Church is ridding herself of the clothing that identifies her as a Pharisee, steeped in tradition and the praise of man, taking off the garment that is saturated with hypocrisy and the pride of man.

And the Church is adorning itself in the robe of John the Baptist, putting on a new identity. The identity of a forerunner! The identity of a trailblazer! The identity of a true prophet! The identity the Church that will win the lost and see them have ‘fruit in keeping with repentance,’ not fruit that is only shown in an offering and butts in seats, but fruit that is shown in broken addictions, empty wheelchairs, and healed lives!

Jesus spoke of John the Baptist saying, ’What did you go in the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet! (Matt. 11:7-10).

More than a prophet! Not just a prophet but a forerunner! This new movement is more than just a prophetic movement, a healing movement, an apostolic movement. We’ve had those. They have come and gone. This is a forerunning movement to a Holy Visitation. The garment the Church will begin to adorn herself in 2010 will identify her as a Church carrying the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the way of the Lord. You have to realize that Jesus isn’t just coming, He is here AND coming…and I’m not talking about the rapture! I’m talking about an Awakening!

The thing about John is that he had every right to wear the linen ephod of a priest. His father was a priest. John was a member of the Levitical order. Why couldn’t he be the forerunner of the Christ, and still be a priest in the temple of his forefathers? It’s because to take up a new paradigm you have to be willing to discard an old one. The structure of the new covenant cannot come through the infrastructure of the old covenant. You cannot pour new wine in and old wineskin friends.

So rather than be what, by birth, he had every right to be, he chose to go into the desert instead of a temple, adorn himself in camel’s hair and a leather belt instead of a linen ephod adorned with pomegranates and bells, eating honey and locusts rather than the sacrifices of Israel.

Rather than be ministerially successful in the world’s eyes, in religion’s eyes, he chose to be labeled a radical, a heretic, a lunatic, even a cult leader. But I call him a revolutionary and a forerunner!

This garment identified him as John the Baptist. This humble garment has its significance, as I said, not just in showing the identity of John, but also in the garments that were laid down to wear this one. Who are you trying to please?

Men or God? The Church or God? Religion or God?!

I don’t want to just look right I want to be right! I don’t want to do it big, I want to do it right!

John first went into the desert not to ‘prepare the way of the Lord and make ready a people.’ John went into the desert to make ready John! John had to get repentance in himself before he preached it. John had to get the spirit and power of Elijah in himself before he released it. John had to get the heart of the Father and his wisdom in the desert before he could ‘turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’

This prophet of God so shone for God that those that heard his message went home to sleepless night with blistered souls broken in repentance. Truly he never raised the dead, but this man with the ‘fire of God in his eyes, the authority of God in his voice, and the passion of God in his heart’ raised a dead nation.

In the same way you will not be a part of this Remnant adorned in the Robe of John unless you prepare your heart. You can’t take on corporate purpose and deny individual responsibility. You can’t have a church that operates in the spirit and power of Elijah, part of the forerunning of a revolution, unless you yourself have sought God in your desert, consecrated unto Him!

Oh how I long to be a part of this Awakening! But first my identity needs to be changed. Your identity needs to be changed. I promise you, I’m not ready, and you’re not ready. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you are. ‘Well I’m fourth generation Pentecostal. My grandfather is a preacher. I speak in tongues.’ Your emotion and Pentecostal persuasions do not make you ready. Who should have been more ready than the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day? Yet they missed it while prostitutes and tax collectors got it! Consider that God had been silent for 400 years, and what an army of priest couldn’t do in that time God accomplished it through John the Baptist inside of six months!

I’m not ready, but I’m getting ready!

Let’s take off this religious, linen, praise seeking ephod that the Body is wearing and adorn the Robe of John, taking on the title ‘Revolutionary,’ becoming a consecrated people, HOLY unto the Lord, even unto death. I don’t desire a long life, but a full one! John the Baptist was beheaded before he was forty, yet Jesus said of him, ‘I tell you no greater man has been born of woman.’ He didn’t waste his life friend. And neither will I! Declare this with me…

God, give me the Robe of John! God take religion out of me and replace it with Holy Revolution. So set me on fire in the desert, so set my church on fire, so set this movement on fire, so set Remnant on fire, that people would come from everywhere just to watch you burn in me! So set us on fire that everything around us is forced to adapt to our fiery nature! From this fire in me start ten thousand more! ‘Fire begets fire!’ I will not have ashes where I once had a fire. I will not carry a candle but a torch! Revival will not tarry because of me! It will not be said of your people in this hour ‘there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee! (Is. 64:7). But let us seek you with all that is in me and ‘suddenly the Lord WHOM YOU SEEK will visit His temple’ (Mal 3:2). We declare the beginning of a great awakening, so take me into the desert to prepare me for its fullness to come!

I pray that you don’t read this and think ‘good word,’ or ‘wow, that kid is 23 and full of revelation.’ Far be it from you! I pray you take this and say ‘that was from God, and it’s going to change everything about me.’ I pray you take this and cast off the religion inside of you. I pray it convicts you to ask ‘God show me if there be any wicked way in me.’ I pray it pushes you to say ‘God, I’m not ready for what’s coming. No matter how much I think I am, I know I’m not. But your making me ready.’ I hope it drives you to take off Caiaphas’ ephod and put on the Robe of John the Baptist, changing your identity and role as the Bride changes hers.

In Him,

Andrew Peters

Remnant Ministries

Technorati Tags: revival, Great Awakening, repentance, forerunners, new voices for Jesus Christ, consecration, Caiaphas, John the Baptist, spiritual fathers and sons, fire of God, spiritual authority

I don’t know if it’s because I’m having a mid-life crisis. Or maybe it’s because I realize I’m closer to the end of my race than I am to the beginning of it; but something is different.

This year has been the greatest year of my entire life; but it’s also been the most difficult in some aspects.

I’ve had to make some difficult decisions this year that affect our ministry. It will affect our family. It will eventually affect some of our relationships. I’ve had to change some ways I do ministry. I’ve had to say goodbye to some friends and prayer partners who were very instrumental in our ministry who were promoted to Glory. I’ve had to say goodbye to others who were led by God to go a totally different direction than we are going in ministry.

I’ve had the opportunity to have our youngest daughter move closer home and our oldest daughter graduate college! So it’s not been all melancholy or dramatic.

But there is something different. I think I’m different. Maybe there is finally the realization, it really is not the amount I give, it’s the attitude of my heart. I knew that already, but something shifts when it sinks into your spirit. It’s not the miles I’ve traveled or the sermons I’ve preached that is important. It’s Him. Emmanuel. God. With. Us. The far away God who didn’t want to be far away anymore. And because of that tonight (or today whenever you read this) my heart is full.

Full of love. Full of appreciation. Full of thanksgiving. For my family. For my friends. For my partners. For the pastors who allow us to partner with them. For every reader of this blog (that means you!).  For all our friends and followers on Twitter and Facebook. For the Kingdom connections God has given us all over the world. And for the lost that will come to know Jesus through our lives in the coming days.

Most of all, I’m thankful and grateful that Jesus is not a baby any more. He’s MY KING!

He IS Emmanuel. God. With. Us.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Technorati Tags: revival, Emmanuel, Immanuel, King, Kingdom, Facebook ministry, Twitter ministry, Great Awakening, appreciation, thanksgiving, honor, difficulties, overcoming obstacles, overcoming fear

I have seen many comments over the last week some applauding his life, others criticizing and crucifying some of what they consider his false teaching.

I cannot help but think about the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. Jesus looks at her accusers and says, he that is without sin let him cast the first stone.

I too am grieved over the utter silliness the doctrine police have succumbed to.

I will go ahead and tell you, I am NOT doing it all right and I am not preaching it exactly right! I am not deliberately trying to be a false prophet nor am I trying to start another sub cult of Christianity.

I have already been attacked on some blogs for declaring without hesitation the gifts of the Spirit did not pass away when John the Revelator died.

Some people think the purity of Christ and Christ’s doctrine rises and falls with them.

I just want to hear Him say well done good and faithful servant!

I’m not saying we should not speak out against squirrelly doctrine nor am I saying we should step aside and let the stupid antics continue in the church.

But until we can really get inside another man heart and really see his true motives let God be the judge. Over and over Oral Roberts would stand and say “…I am not a healer, Jesus is the healer! I just let Him work through me!”

Oral Roberts. We miss you already. Thanks for blazing the trail for us.

May God find me faithful enough to deposit His healing power in my life to declare to this generation!

Let the fire fall!

Technorati Tags: revival, Oral Roberts, is healing for today, healing, gifts of the Holy Spirit, deliverance, miracles, Holy Spirit outpouring

By the time you receive this month’s newsletter we will have arrived in Kenya for the 7^th Annual Christ’s Victors Masaai Convention. This is an annual event that brings together 55 different denominations. Last year over 200 pastors attended the meeting with over 6,000 registered guests. Please pray and agree that God will give us a great harvest of souls and that there will be a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and Power! We are honored to have been invited again to take part in this wonderful convention.

It’s hard to conceive we are now at the end of 2009! I have said this at the end of every year for the last eight years, but 2009 has truly been the greatest year (again) in the history of our ministry!

More people have been saved, more reported healings, more people filled with the Spirit, and more pastors encouraged, trained and ordained (man I need to be a poet!) than the previous years combined. To God Be ALL The Glory!

Pam and I recently was traveling through South Georgia on our way to Florida to visit my Grandparents for their 67^th (yes I said that right 67th) wedding anniversary, when we passed by some cotton fields that were in full boll. The brightness of the cotton shining in the afternoon sun was almost blinding! My mind raced to the Scripture in John 4 in which Jesus said the fields are white, ready to harvest…

I have written and stated repeatedly that I am convinced God is getting us ready for the next Great Awakening! Wikipedia from May 15, 2005 states a Great Awakening happens when social change renders traditional religion (or the thesis in Hegel’s terminology) no longer able to answer the questions posed by contemporary life. A certain disconnect occurs between religion and the real world. New belief systems attempt to fill the gap, eventually leading to a full Great Awakening.

If this doesn’t summarize what we are seeing in America, I don’t know what does. But even with all the turmoil and uncertainty the world is in right now, I am certain that in 2010 several things will take place:

1. The Blood of Jesus will still wash all confessed sin away. Our money may lose more value. America may lose ground with the war on terror. The U.S. may lose more influence with other nations of the world. But the Blood of Jesus will still wash away sins that are confessed in the Name of Jesus!

2. The Word of God will still work. Jesus said it best. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will never pass away. His word will bring comfort, correction, and confirmation for direction for all our lives. His Word will continue to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. I purpose to continue to hide His Word in my heart that I might not sin against Him!

3. The Holy Spirit will still draw people to Jesus. If the Almighty never slumbers or sleeps (Psalms 121:3,4 ) then we can know for certain, people will get saved in 2010 because the Holy Spirit is the active force convicting people of their sinful condition, and convincing them the only way to eternal life is through Jesus. People will not be converted by blowing up abortion clinics, or by picketing business that are anti-Christian. People will follow Jesus when the Holy Spirit penetrates their hearts and convinces them of who HE IS! Go get ‘em, Holy Spirit!

4. Jesus could possibly come in 2010. If He doesn’t will I be discouraged? Nope. It just gives me another year to preach His name, love His people, and build His Kingdom! Make no mistake about it: His Kingdom WILL come; His will, shall be done, on this earth like it is in heaven. I just want to make sure I’m in on what HE is doing!

All the good we have seen take place has come because of faithful friends like you! Thank you for your prayers and your financial support in 2009. Thank you for purchasing our book Breaking the Spirit of Absalom. The proceeds from the sale of this book help us fund our Kenya outreaches. Next year we believe God is calling us to take many more trips to Kenya conducting crusades and pastors conferences.

We are preparing to publish a new booklet to give to new converts that I am in the process of finishing titled Welcome To Jesus. This booklet (approximately 15 pages or less) will also be translated into Swahili to be used in our African Crusades. We are rolling out a new logo, a new newsletter format, more Internet TV programs, special monthly webcasts and of course, we believe that 2010 will be the year God gives the United States it’s next Great Awakening!

This is also the time of year in which people like to sow special end of the year gifts into worthy ministries. If you would like to sow a special end of the year offering to Revival Now Ministries, or would like to make sure you get tax credit for your giving in 2009, please make sure your gift is in our office by December 31, 2009.

Thank you for believing in what God has called Pam and I to do. Thank you for your prayers and support of Revival Now Ministries!

Blessings,

David & Pam

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Kenya East Africa, outreaches, short term missions, Great Awakening, revival in America

And over 100 people give their lives to Jesus!

That’s worth it all!

We were so honored to be able to take part in the 7^th Annual Christ Victors Maasai Convention. This is a pastors fellowship that brings together over 200 Maasai pastors across denominational lines from all across Kenya for 7 days of prayer, praise, preaching, repentance and seeking the face of God.

We joined a team from Pattison Texas and were also joined by approximately 8 other ministers during the week. The Convention was held outdoors in the village of Masurura, about 40 kilometers from the Maasai Mara Reserve.

Our ministry didn’t begin until Wednesday afternoon. I ministered on The Covenant. At least 12 people gave their lives to Jesus, several of them young men who were visibly touched by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We then ministered to the pastors in attendance and the power of God fell on them in a great way.

Pastor Brad Morgan preached a powerful message on Thursday afternoon that set many free and again Friday he ministered a powerful word on the purpose of giving. Lynne Johnson ministered in the morning session of the reason we must endure from Hebrews 12.

Saturday after a time of repentance from the bloodshed that had taken place in the preceding generations on that particular land, the assembly held a prayer walk around the school grounds we were meeting at. 2500 Maasai people singing and praising and dancing seven times around a five acre field is a powerful site to see!

As the prayer walk ended I took the text and ministered from 1 Kings 18 on Mindsets That Must Be Destroyed. The Maasai people are one of the forgotten people groups in the 10/40 Window. Because they are the smallest tribe in Kenya, they suffer the brunt of abuse from both the political system as well as from other clans and tribes in the country. The victim, wilderness and poverty mentality hold many in bondage; But God set many captives free!

God has not forgotten about the Maasai people! Just like God has not forgotten about you!  At the altar call over 60 people responded to give their lives to Jesus and literally hundreds of others flooded the altar, removing idols, renouncing witchcraft, repenting of sins and confessing Jesus Christ is Lord over the land.

Sunday ended the convention with over 20 more giving their lives to Jesus for the first time and again the altar filled with hungry hearts crying out fro God to move across the land.

For the last several weeks before we traveled to Kenya, Pam and I both had been sensing from the Lord that we somehow needed to spend more time in Kenya in the coming years. We don’t feel God is calling us to live there full time, but to take more trips conducting crusades, pastors seminars and village ministry such as we have been doing in Guyana for the last 8 years.

On Sunday we were approached but a couple of pastors telling us that 85 percent of the Maasai pastors do not have adequate training, nor a denomination to give them that training. Many are not connected to any denominational structure. Some of these pastors were saved by a dramatic encounter with the Lord, and immediately began winning people to Jesus. Because they won these people to Jesus, they, by process of elimination have become pastors to these flocks of people! One man told me you are not called to the ministry that way; but someone forgot to tell God He doesn’t know how to run His business!

Over the next several weeks we are designing a plan that God has already birthed in our hearts to conduct regular Pastors Seminars to these 85 percent of the pastors who have no one speaking into their lives. Please pray with us that God will continue to guide us and supply the funds needed to minister to these men and women of God who are truly on the front lines of battle. If we can help encourage and equip just one pastor, an entire village can possibly be delivered from witchcraft and superstition be lead into the glorious light of the Lord!

Thank you to all our friends and partners who gave, who prayed and who support in other ways our outreaches to Kenya. We are so grateful to be your hands and feet to a forgotten people group that God has not forgotten about!

It is time for Maasai!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Maasai in Kenya, Christ Victors Pastors Fellowship, Pastors Seminars, Holy Spirit outpouring, Kenya East Africa

Update coming on Monday!

Until then, here’s a little nugget God spoke to my heart this week: Some friends/mentors/advisors may only be in your life for a season; all are in your life for a reason! It must become our discovery to understand or discern the reason…so we can enjoy and embrace the impartation God wants to release in this season!

1 Chronicles 12:32  And of the children of Issachar there were men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…

I thought it was pretty cool!

Technorati Tags: revival, Kenya East Africa, ministry to the Maasai, impartation, seasons in God

Pray for us that God will continue to give us traveling safety, a great harvest of souls, and that He will seal together the direction He wants us to go in 2010. Pam and I both feel some great changes coming and we are excited about all the possibilities God has laid at our feet! Again, to all our faithful partners and the readers of Revival Journal, hope you have a wonderful finish to the Thanksgiving weekend!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Kenya East Africa, Masaai in Kenya, revival among the Masaai, Christ Victors Pastors Fellowship, Holy Spirit outpouring

Psalms 76:1-3 (New King James)

1 In Judah God is known;His name is great in Israel.

2 In Salem^[b] also is His tabernacle,And His dwelling place in Zion.

3 There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle.  Selah

In my devotion recently these scriptures literally jumped off the page. I feel they are very appropriate for this week of Thanksgiving in the United States.

The writer begins with the statement In Judah God is known…

Judah meaning praise indicates that knowing God involves praising Him! While there IS a great need for prayer and the preaching of the Word; God does not inhabit the praying of His people; nor does He inhabit the preaching of His people. God inhabits the PRAISE of His people!  Psalms 22:3

This week as we gather in America around the dinner tables with family and friends, deliberately praise the Lord for He is good and His mercy does endure forever!

Secondly, the writer speaks of Salem or Jerusalem. Jerusalem translates into city of peace. When we begin to commit to a lifestyle of praise and worship, He brings us into His peace. The Tabernacle of God is with men and in His Tabernacle is peace!

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Then in verse three, the writer tells us that as we commit to a lifestyle of praise, God brings us into the place of His peace; in that place of peace is where he breaks the arrows that torment our minds. In the place of peace He also breaks the shield of the enemy and the sword of circumstances that feels like it has chopped us to pieces; but He also breaks the battle.

My message to every battle weary saint today is praise Him in spite of not having a job. Praise Him in spite of the problems you are in right now! As you do, there will be a peace that will settle over you and your battle will cease! PEACE, BE STILL!!!!!

Thank you to all our Revival Journal readers as well as all our partners of Revival Now Ministries. You have made 2009 a wonderful year for Pam and I. While there are dark clouds on the horizon, I can also see that 2010 is the year of Great Opportunities to do something great for God!

Pray for us as! We leave Saturday November 28^th for another trip to Kenya East Africa where we will take part in the Annual Christ Victors Masaai Convention just outside Kilgoris Kenya.

Give God the highest praise this Thanksgiving!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship, Psalms, Kenya East Africa, Christ Victors Masaai Convention, Rosenberg Texas, First Assembly Rosenberg

Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.

I was reading this during my devotion last week when two thoughts jumped off the page at me:

First, verse 18 says Absalom said “…I have no son…”

But 2 Samuel 14:27 tells us Absalom had three sons and a daughter…

Whether it was because men in this day had so many wives and so many children by other wife’s that there was not adequate nurturing going on or what… even with three sons, Absalom felt that he did not have a son to follow in his footsteps.

The story of Elijah and Elisha is a picture of a spiritual father and his spiritual son. Elijah poured everything he had into Elisha, so when he died, his ministry not only continued, it doubled.

Then in 2 Kings 13, Elisha died and was buried. A band of Moabites invaded the land one day and as some soldiers were carrying the guy home for his funeral, a band of Moabites came on them and he was “let down” into tomb of Elisha. When the dead man’s body touched the bones of Elisha, he came to life again. While that is a great miracle there is another underlying thought.

Nowhere in scripture after death of Elijah do we find Elisha raising up a spiritual son. No one evidently pursued Elisha enough to warrant becoming his spiritual son. Or, maybe Elisha had to work so hard to get the double portion anointing he just wasn’t interested in giving away something he had worked so hard to receive. Elisha went to the grave with that same double portion anointing having never imparted it to anyone else!

Can you imagine what would have happened if Elisha had chosen one of those sons of the prophets to pour himself into…that the anointing would have continued to double…

One of the greatest tragedies of our lifetime is the lack of spiritual fatherhood…

Paul told the Corinthians “…though you have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers…1 Corinthians 4:15

Because leaders either refuse, or don’t know how to raise spiritual sons, each generation has to go back to square one when it comes to the transfer of a generational blessing…the transfer of a generational anointing…

Americans don’t understand this because we think each generation needs to learn it the hard way…we think that experience is the best teacher.

Our culture refuses to believe in and teach the transfer of the generational blessing, because we have never had it transferred onto us from our fathers/grandfathers

God, please restore the spirit of fatherhood to us!!!!!!

Then he said “…to keep my name in remembrance….

Absalom was not only battling a Fear of abandonment, but also a fear of being forgotten!

Many of us have stayed in religious structures afraid of stepping out on our own because we were afraid the relationships we have worked so hard to establish would forget about us.

You know, out of sight, out of mind…

So Absalom raised up a monument inscribed with his name, and to this day it’s called Absalom’s Monument.

Men have built denominations, networks, buildings and ministries in their own name because they were afraid of being forgotten!

Some preachers have never been able to step out on their own and establish what God has wanted them to establish because of a fear of being forgotten!

So we build buildings…build ministries…build denominational structures with our names and influence, instead of investing them our names and influence and anointing into other ABLE MEN AND WOMEN who can carry the NAME OF JESUS TO THE NATIONS as well as to the next generation!!!!!!

God, set us free from the fear of being forgotten!

Technorati Tags: spirit of Absalom, fear of abandonment, fear of being forgotten, building a ministry, Holy Spirit outpouring, spiritual fatherhood, generational blessing

I am thankful today for all our friends who visit us here at Revival Journal. Our schedule has kept us in a number of remote areas this year that has limited our ability to blog like I want to. There are some transitions on the horizon I see that hopefully will enable us to blog more frequently. I believe 2010 will be the greatest year for the church of Jesus Christ!

Long travel home today! Pray for safety for us as we drive back to Alabama!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Alma Arkansas, revival in West Arkansas, Great Awakening, Pastor Sandy & Amber Yarbrough, Holy Spirit Outpouring, gifts of the Holy Spirit, Christianity

For us yesterday at Cross Connection Church, we saw at least three saved, several people filled with the Spirit and in both services the altar was filled with hungry and thirsty people seeking the face of Jesus! Thank you Pastor Jon Russell for allowing us the privilege of ministering for your congregation!

Also, reports from several other churches across East Alabama have come to us today telling me of an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their churches. God is going to move in East Alabama in such a way that it rings the bells to the heavens!

Get ready for the Harvest! It’s NOW!!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in East Alabama, Holy Spirit outpouring, revival in Alabama

Click this link to see the video on YouTube!

Video Thank You

Thank you to all our friends and partners who make what we do around the world so much easier! Your prayers and financial support is a blessing to so many!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Kenya, missions, short term missions, Christianity, Holy Spirit outpouring

The following is a brief summary of the work we do around the world:

Crusade Evangelism

Crusade Evangelism works tremendously in Africa! Revival Now Ministries has conducted 3-5 day outdoor crusades across Kenya that have brought thousands of people to Jesus Christ. This form of evangelism is very popular in developing countries, and is a major catalyst of church planting, individual discipleship and establishing church growth. New converts are worked with by local pastors to be assimilated into local congregations after the crusade ends.

Pastor’s Seminars

Pastors Seminars are a great source of encouragement to pastors in remote areas of the world. Many times a man or woman will give their life to Jesus and will immediately begin winning people to Jesus Christ. By default they begin pastoring and discipling those new converts with only the limited knowledge of their newfound faith. This results in a church being established. Many of these men and women do not belong to an established denomination and have not been afforded an opportunity for formal Bible School training. While not intended to be a substitute for formal theological training, RNM’s Pastors Seminars are a source of balanced Biblical instruction intending to foster a hunger for God and establish pastors with basic Bible knowledge they can impart to others, and to be a source of encouragement to those who already have a formal Bible School training. Seminars are conducted at various intervals throughout the year.

Drill Wells

One of the greatest needs mankind has is for clean drinking water. RNM has been a part of drilling dozens of wells in both Guyana South America and Kenya East Africa in the last nine years. The costs to drill a well ranges from approximately $500.00US in Guyana to $3,000-8,000US in Kenya, depending on where we drill. Both countries are in desperate need of new wells being drilled.

Build Churches

In developing countries, the church not only functions as a house of worship, but also as a schoolhouse, community center and a place for medical clinics. Depending on location, a 20×40 church building can be built for 3,000US – $5,000US in Kenya to 8,000 in Guyana.

United States Evangelism

Revival Now Ministries also believes God is preparing the US for the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit we have seen in our 200 plus year of history! We conduct special Sunday Services, revival meetings as well as weekend Marriage Retreats and Leadership Seminars as a way to reach our own nation as well as bring attention to our overseas ministry. RNM is proud to serve as missionary evangelists for many Independent Churches across the US as well as a missionary for many denominational churches.

RNM is utilizing the technology available to us as a way to reach the nations with the Gospel. Through our website (http://revivalnow.org) our blog (http://revivaljournal.com) podcasts, Internet TV and our monthly Newsletter are tools God has given us to declare the message of repentance, restoration and revival. We would love the opportunity to share the ministry God has given us with any local congregation, regardless of denomination affiliation, status, or attendance size.

In 2009, David published his first book titled “Breaking The Spirit of Absalom”. An intriguing study of the life of Absalom, David’s third born son that is a must read for anyone with a desire and calling to do a work for Jesus Christ.  Breaking the Spirit of Absalom is available at Amazon.com, at the Absalom website http://davidcopelandbook.com or by calling our office at 706-773-1546.

For More Information on Revival Now Ministries, contact:

Revival Now Ministries
David Copeland
P.O. Box 1076
Lanett, Alabama 36863
706-773-1546
http://revivalnow.org
http://revivaljournal.com

Technorati Tags: revival, Revival Now Ministries, Guyana, Kenya, Crusade Evangelism, drilling water wells, Pastors Seminars, Christianity

You can order you copy of Breaking the Spirit of Absalom by going to the Absalom website at http://davidcopelandbook.com or by calling our office at 706-773-1546. For even faster service you can or the book at Amazon.com and simply search for the book Breaking The Spirit of Absalom.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will help fund our Kenya Missions Projects.

Technorati Tags: revival, spirit of Absalom, Breaking Controlling Powers, Absalom, perseverance, overcoming, Christianity, repentance, restoration

Tuesday night during worship the Holy Spirit began to move ever so gently, touching people and drawing them deeper into worship. Two hours later we realized God had shown up in a dramatic way! God was touching people and neither Pastor Trussell nor myself knew what to do! So we just let Him do what He came to do.

Have you ever been in a service in which you knew the Holy Spirit was moving, touching, drawing…and you felt as if you could lay down on the floor and go to sleep? When the Holy Spirit is moving like that, He is drawing His people into the rest of God.

9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

There remains a rest for the people of God. I know this is speaking of the day in which Jesus brings us to our final resting place with Him, eternally in the heavens; but we need rest in the here and now!

There remains a rest NOW for us, NOW! Not in the sweet by and by. Our labor, our sweat equity in the Kingdom of God should not be trying to climb the church ladder of successful ministry; our labor should be to enter into His rest! Especially when the Holy Spirit comes into a service like He did this week we need to recognize He is coming and touching us to bring us into the rest of God we so desperately need.

Verse 10 continues by telling us the he that has entered into His rest has ceased from his own works…

I can always tell when I am working and operating in the flesh; I get frustrated easily, irritable, cranky, and sometimes down right mad! When we cease from trying to help God out with fixing our problems, making people get saved and on fire for God and rest in Him, He can work much better…and much faster!

As you labor this weekend, labor to enter into His rest!

We are looking forward to being in services Saturday night and Sunday morning with our family at New Life Beginnings Church in Pattison Texas. Services begin Saturday evening at 6pm, Sunday morning at 10:30am. If you are close by, please come and join us!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, rest in God, New Life Beginnings Church Pattison Texas, Landmark Lighthouse Assembly of God Gardendale Alabama, Pastor Brad Morgan, Pastor Barbara Trussell

If this statement doesn’t sum up where America is at in 2009, I don’t know what is!

It’s hard not to be cynical, discouraged and even a little depressed by what we see happening in America in our politics, our families and even in our churches. Last week Parade Magazine revealed a study they did showing most ‘christians’ in America may read scriptures in the morning, check their horoscopes at lunch, do pilates and yoga (eastern meditation) in the evening.

Barry Kozim, co-author of the American ID Religious Survey said “today religion has become more like a fashion statement, not a deep personal commitment for many”.

With so many people preaching a new gospel that has no requirements and asks for no commitments, it is creating a vacuum…a void that will only be satisfied by another Great Awakening!

I am not discouraged in the least at what I see taking place! No, I don’t have my head buried in the sand either nor am I living in denial. But where sin abounds, Grace ALWAYS much more abounds! I see God is allowing mankind especially Americans to come to the end of their narcissistic ways, and that void is setting people up for the next Great Awakening!

What do we do? Preach against sin. Repent ourselves with all of our hearts. Turn from our own selfish ways. We don’t need another wake up call. We have been getting wake up calls for years. We must quit hitting the snooze button and falling back to sleep.

And know that the next thing God does is always greater than the last thing He did!

Technorati Tags: revival, Great Awakening, backsliding, renewal, repentance

While it shouldn’t surprise us that this type of persecution is now underway in full force; I am convinced it flies in the face of the First Amendment and what this country was founded on over 230 year ago. more protection is coming for homosexuals, muslims, rapists and child molesters, while Christian people who simply want to share the Light that Jesus Christ has brought into their lives will be increasingly attacked for their faith. There is a soon coming day in which it will essentially be against the law for you to be a true born again Christian.

You would say, “Copeland, you are a conspiracy theorist; you’re spreading fear and hate…” no friends, it’s simply another sign of a falling away that is taking place so the man of sin can be revealed.

But in the midst of it all, God’s remnant people will find a special provision, protection and power from God Himself that will sustain them empower them and provide true solutions for a world lost in narcissism, greed and power grabbing. It shall come to pass that the Holy Spirit shall be poured out on all flesh!

I for one will go with Jesus Christ! He’s never let me down yet!

It’s all for souls!

Services continue tonight and Sunday morning in Rainsville Alabama at Grace Assembly. Then Sunday night through Wednesday night we will minister in Gardendale (Birmingham) Alabama at Landmark Light House Assembly with Pastor Barbara Trussell. We will also have a Children’s Crusade with River of Life Church in Alexander City’s Children’s Ministry team. For more information you can Call PAstor Trussell at 256-538-8678.

Technorati Tags: revival, witnessing, First Amendment, persecution, political correctness, narcissism, Great Awakening Grace Assembly Rainsville Alabama, Landmark Lighthouse Assembly Gardendale Alabama

This is our first “weekly” (sorry wasn’t supposed to use parenthesis)  ministry video update for all our friends and partners…or anyone who wants to watch.

I also bring a short word from Galatians 6:7-10. Hope it blesses and encourages you.

You can watch the video here.

If you are in the North Alabama area of Rainsville/Fort Payne, we will be in services beginning Wednesday night through Sunday morning ar Grace Assembly of God with Pastors John & Becky Oliver. For directions or information you can contact Pastor Oliver at 256-538-8678. We would love to have you join us!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Grace Assembly of God Rainsville Alabama, Revival Now TV, Pastors John & Becky Oliver

I am catching up…somewhat…I finally have been able to recover and post some new pictures on our Flickr Page (click here). We now have pictures from August 2008 (I know, they are a year late) and from August 2009. Go to Flickr and check them out! Stay tuned also for a Revival Now Video update coming (hopefully) on Tuesday.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, South Decatur Church of God, Pastor Jay & Lynn Rhodes, Revival Now Ministries on Flickr, Revival Now, Kenya East Africa, Pastor Brad Morgan, Beauregard Revival Center

God has been stirring my heart the last couple of days from Ephesians 4. Paul said in verse 1 that we should walk worthy of the vocation in which we are called.

The calling to ministry is not just for those who serve God full time! Ministry is for ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST JESUS!

The ministry must be walked out with integrity, honor, and grace. The ministry is not a job, it is a privilege! We are not entitled to perks or privileges; but if we do the ministry God has called us to willingly, there IS a reward!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, ministry, grace, honor, priesthood of the believer, South Decatur Church of God, Pastors Jay & Lynn Rhodes, Ephesians 4, 5 Fold Ministry

Please forgive me for the intrusion, it’s been a long time, and I’ve had several (and I mean several) computer crashes since the last time you heard from me. I have completely had to rebuild my email database from scratch, so I thought if I went to all that trouble, I might as well write you!

I just returned from the funeral home visiting the family of a young man who used to attend our church in Lanett that was killed in a car accident this week. He was a young man in his early 40’s and leaves behind a wife and two children. he was a man that loved Jesus and his family with all his heart. I was reminded again at how sacred, precious and fragile life is, and that it can be taken from us instantly…and without any warning.

I guess that got me thinking about how thankful I am that each one of you are in my life. Each one of you who will receive this email has made a dramatic impact on my life and ministry. Some of you I have talked to by phone this week. Others I haven’t spoken to you in a good while. But I do not forget you. I pray for you. I am believing that this is OUR TIME to shine the Gospel to the four corners of the globe!

Thank you to those of you who pray for us; it is needed even more at this critical hour. Thank you to those of you who support us financially. These are strained times for many, and I know the seeds you sow in this ministry for some are very sacrificial; but God has seen your seed and I have planted it in good soil. So I know it WILL produce a great harvest back to you! To everyone who cannot support us at this time, you are still our friends and I pray God blesses you in a way in which you can find a place to sow your seed that is good soil; because the time for harvesting has come!

To every pastor who receives this email I want to thank you for trusting us to stand in your pulpit and preach to your congregation the Everlasting Gospel! I hope I have never embarrassed you, nor misused the privilege of standing in the pulpit God has given you to protect. I pray that God will blessed above measure the seeds of the Gospel that have been planted there and that God will strengthen you to both reap and to keep the harvest in your city!

To those of you who will receive this email in another country, I want you to know Pam and I are praying for you and we look forward to the time in which we can get back there and share the Gospel with you and your village again.

No I have not sinned. I am not dying of some disease. And no, I am certainly not quitting.

After seeing my friend Bud King go to meet Jesus, I just had to let you all know I love you all and appreciate you being in my life. And if something should happen to me in an accident or something else, know this: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course and I have kept the faith. Therefore there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord Jesus will give to everyone who loves Him.

If you would like to receive our monthly email newsletters, go to our home page http://revivalnow.org and sign up. You can also view our first Video Newsletter at http://revivalnow.org/media.

I Love You All! And have a blessed weekend!

David Copeland

Revival Now Ministries

P.O. Box 1076

Lanett, Alabama 36863

706-773-1546

http://revivalnow.org

http://revivaljournal.com

Technorati Tags: revival, perseverance, love, faith, crown of life, life, joy, friendship, thankgiving, Harmon Bud King,

I Corinthians 9:24-27 Message Bible:

24-25You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

26-27I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.   (Message Bible)

It’s hard to believe that by the time I post this, we are approximately 90 days away from the year 2010! Who would have even believed we would live to see 2001, much less 2010.

This year has been true to the word God spoke to me last November that major transition would continue to take place. I know change is something that has always gone on. But something that has broken my heart as we are now in the last quarter of 2009 is the casualties I have seen along the way this year.

I have seen more people fall away from God this year than ever before. Not unstable people. Not people who really were never committed to the cause of Christ to begin with. I have seen intercessors; pastors; youth pastors; dedicated servants of God who have been overwhelmed with marriage difficulties, ministry difficulties, financial hardships and the spirit of fear that seems to be on everyone’s lips these days, some fall into complacency, others fall away from the faith.

The Calvinist would say they were never truly saved to begin with. Others would say they were in the wrong church or wrong denomination.  I think it’s because we have lost our focus.

It’s been said the only reason men fail is broken focus. Broken focus happens in sports. It happens in ministry. Broken focus happens in a marriage. It can happen to a nation as well as a church.

This is what Paul is saying to the Corinthian people. Stay focused. Get rid of the distractions. Keep your eyes on the finish line. It’s closer than you think!

In our recent Marriage Conference in Pigeon Forge, I told the story of a revival meeting we were in many years ago. Pam and I had just started traveling. We were excited that God was using us to encourage and strengthen congregations. We were seeing people saved, healed and baptized in the Holy Spirit everywhere we went.

Then we found ourselves in a church that was in such turmoil and bondage it was suffocating. To say it was dead is an understatement. On a Tuesday afternoon I was out walking crying out to God for not only a message, but I was crying out for deliverance from that place! It was so bad (I hate to say this) but I was contemplating calling the pastor and telling him we had to go home because a problem had come up we had to go home to handle. Please understand I am not a liar! But the services were so bad, even with 10 hours a day of prayer, I couldn’t seem to get a breakthrough for myself, much less a church that seemed to not want a breakthrough at all!

I fell to my knees on the dirt path I was walking on, weeping to God to just let me go home, when the Holy Spirit whispered to me “there’s a blessing in finishing the course!”

You know when God speaks to your heart! And I knew I had heard from God!

I jumped up from the dirt, wiped the tears from my eyes, walked to the end of the path way I was walking on and shouted “devil, there is a blessing in finishing the race, and I’m going to finish!” That night many were saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and that little church received the breakthrough it so desperately needed! And I received my breakthrough also!

My point is this: we are almost to the end of 2009; we are also almost at the end of history. Don’t stop now. Don’t stop believing it’s God’s will for you to be out of debt. Don’t stop believing it’s God’s will for your marriage to be healed and full of passion. Don’t stop believing it’s God’s will for your church or your ministry to accomplish your assignment!

Don’t get caught napping. Finish the race. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. It’s almost over. We are at the finish line. Give it all you’ve got!

There really is a blessing in finishing the race!

To see the video version of our Newsletter go to http://revivalnow.org/media

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, perseverance, over coming obstacles to our faith, Christianity, Holy Spirit outpouring, great falling away

Today we leave for Gatlinburg Tennessee for our First Couple’s Retreat. Marriages are under an all out assault and Revival Now Ministries wants to see Christian marriages strengthened and empowered to bring healing to other marriages! And with the divorce rate in the church the same or higher than in the world, these type of meetings are needed now more than ever before. We know we are right in the middle of what God wants us to do!

Please pray for the 21 couples who are gathering from all across the country for a weekend of prayer, praise and worship and ministry. Pray for healing, restoration and empowerment to take place!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, marriage, Christian marriages, Marriage retreats, healing, restoration, empowerment

God continues to speak in my heart about a greater shifting and sifting that is coming in the days ahead. This week thousands of Muslims will gather on the Mall in Washington DC as part of their Ramadan fasting and prayers, to pray specifically for the White House to become a Muslim house.

Now is the time for the battle warriors of the Lord to take their place on the walls of our nation! OUr battle IS NOT with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers and rulers of darkness of this world and wicked spirits in high places. Our battle is a spiritual battle. And when you fight a spiritual battle with fleshly weapons, a religious spirit will prevail!

Now is the Time for the Church in America to hit her knees!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Morgantown West Virginia, Harvest Family Worship Center, Pastors Kevin & Maggie Summers, turn around churches

It’s hard for democratically minded people to understand kingdom principles.

I am glad I live in the freest, most blessed nation in the whole world! I’m glad I get to vote for my favorite candidates for public office, speak my mind to my congressmen on legislation that I feel is important to me and my family, and know that my voice counts. Even if at times it seems like it doesn’t.

But as children of God we must remember we are citizens of another world! Paul said in Philippians 3:20 our citizenship is in heaven! And Jesus made it plain in the Gospels that even though we are in the world; we must not be of the world.

I was thinking about all the debates raging across America right now. Health Care Reform, Racism, Boarder Protection, Big Government, Foreign Policy, our standing with Israel, the debates goes on and on.

As people of God again, we are in the world, but we are not of this world! Jesus told Pilate that His Kingdom was not of this world, if it was then His servants would fight. The weapons we are to fight with are not guns, bombs or political spin; our weapons are love and living a life of total surrender to Jesus Christ. Our enemy is not a political party, another nation or even another religion; our enemy is the principalities and powers and rulers of darkness and the wicked spirits in high places.

There are very dark clouds gathering across our country. But I am not a fatalist. I still know the power of 2 Chronicles 7:14 will work. If people will stop talking about it and do it!

On September 25th Muslims from all over the United States and around the world will gather on the Mall in Washington DC to pray for America’s conversion to Islam. They are expecting 50,000 plus people to participate in this prayer event. This is a free country and our Constitution gives them the right to do this.

I wonder what would happen if the Christians in America would surrender their hearts for one day to specifically pray for Islam and all the Muslim world; that they would open their hearts to the Holy Spirit on this, their day of prayer, that Jesus would appear to many of them as they “dedicate America and the White House to Islam”?

Nothing is impossible with God!

Friends, this is not something that will only effect Washington DC, or Atlanta, or Detroit; this is something that will effect small town Alabama, Texas, and the rest of our nation.

If we have even needed to repent and turn from our wicked ways it’s today. It’s now. Our future and our nation is depending on it.

Our citizenship is in a Kingdom ruled by Jesus!

Technorati Tags: revival, Islam Day of Prayer, repentance, spiritual freedom, Kingdom of God

We head south today (Sunday) to South Alabama and Westview Assembly of God in Opp Alabama. Pastors Phillip and Jane Rayburn are choice servants of God whom He is using to stir the flames of revival in that county. It’s also know as the home to the Rattlesnake Rodeo held in March of each year. But I promise you, I won’t be handling any snakes!

Services are today (Sunday) at 10am Central Time and 7pm Monday through Wednesday.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Opp Alabama, Westview Assembly of God Opp Alabama, Pastor Phillip Rayburn, Great Awakening

Andrew also serves in our armed forces and is being deployed to Iraq on Wednesday September 9 for a 400 day deployment. Again, this young couple is ON FIRE FOR JESUS and is called by God to touch their generation with the Fire of the Holy Ghost. Please pray for Andrew and all of our soldiers who so bravely sacrifice their freedom for our freedom. Whether you believe in the war or not, it is what it is and we must stand behind the men and women who are on the front lines of freedom.

Andrew and Nikki also have founded Remnant Ministries that they will be serving full time in after Andrew’s deployment is over.

Andrew, preach your guts out to your fellow soldiers! We believe in you and are praying for you!

Technorati Tags: revival, Andrew Peters, Remnant Ministries young people on fire for Jesus

I have felt a distinct increase of anointing in my life over the last several weeks. And with that, a burden for souls has deepened at times beyond my ability to put into words. I often wonder has church become simply a game people play. A place to go because you are bored with you life at home. A place to go to see and judge others that don’t look exactly like you. A place to throw your weight around if you think you are important.

All the while Jesus is standing with outstretched arms calling us closer to Him; closer to the Father to know His plans and purposes for our lives on the earth!

God help us to stop playing all games and seek Your face with all our heart!

Then the fire will fall!

Have a great Labor Day!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, Labor Day, Anointing, playing games at church

If you are in the area we would love to have you join us.

I ministered last night on hell. It’s really not how you start a series of revival services. I titled the message “Why We DO What We Do”. The reason we do what we do is because we don’t want people to go to hell. Hell is not a state of mind. It is a place.

I have been called a simpleton, narrow minded, even bigoted because I refuse to concede to popular religious opinion and say all of us are God’s children and you can believe anything you want and live any way you want to live and still go to heaven. Just be a good person and that will be enough.

I would rather live my life believing Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven and come to the end of my life and find out I was wrong; than live my life rejecting Jesus and come to the end and find out He is real and I missed my last opportunity to accept His gift of eternal life.

Hell awaits everyone who rejects Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, hell, eternal life, life after death, Wytheville Virginia, revival in Virginia, Bakers Chapel PH Church, Pastor Jim Tunnell

I am posting this email in it’s entirety because I believe it’s a right now word for our nation. It is along the lines of what the Lord has been speaking to me about Baal, Molech, Chemosh and Ashtoreth; four major spirits America and the church in America is battling. Make this a matter of prayer and intercession in the days to come.

Dear Friends,

This is a call to strategic intercession on behalf of our nation. I am sending this to you because I believe you all to be intercessors that God has connected me with. Though the levels of relationship I have with each one of you vary from an aquaintance to a dear friend, I believe you are dedicated to the place of prayer and to seeing our nation reformed and revived! Most of you who read this letter are a lot farther along with the Lord and have a lot more experience than I do, but I do trust that you will not look down on me because of my youth and realize that the Lord has spoken this to me to me so that we can begin to see greater fruit in America. Below is a prophecy I received on July 6 while at the Deluge Prayer Furnace in Red Oak, TX. This prophecy was building on other words that had been spoken throughout the gathering. I believe if we join together in Spirit that there is a convergence of our intercession as well as ours converging with the intercessions of other saints in this land that can shift the condition of a nation!

Babylon Has Fallen

I see Babylon falling as a tall building, falling onto itself. Starting at the top in the heavens, in the spiritual realm, taking time to see the toppling manifest in the physical. Baal’s infrastructure is crumbling!

The strong man that is the Spirit of Baal is being bound so the the house that is America’s harvest can be taken. Take heart in the hopeless, the prodigal, the prostitute, the wayward, the religious. Jeremiah 51:44 ‘And I will punish Baal in Babylon and cause him to spit up that which he has swallowed!’

Because of this the blinders set in place will be lifted as the strongman’s influence dies. His influence on our minds, influence even on us! It dies!

But my children, also called my soldiers, it is not only my work, but a partnership with you, a combining of arms. I say to you, every true prophecy is a sword against the enemy’s camp. Every intercessor a mighty warrior. Every prayer a blow against the Babylonian spirit of Baal.

Conversely every prophecy a light into the sinner’s life. Every intercessor a bridge to the Father. Every prayer a cry for the Harvest!

—-That is the Word of the Lord right now! Now let me shed some light on a few areas that some might need clarified.—-

If you’ll recall the morning of 9/11 with me, think about how long it took for the building to actually collapse on itself. It was struck at the top a very long time before it actually fell. God is telling me that the same thing has happened to the spirit of Baal, the principality that I believe God has shown me and others through prayer is the strong man over America. He is already falling in the Spiritual, at the top, but it will take time and intercession and warring in the Spirit to see the fruit of our prayer made manifest in the physical realm.

I’m going to give you a series of short parallels to show why I believe Baal is the strongman over America.

1. The chief way in which the temple of Baal was paid for in the Old Testament was through homosexual prostitution. Baal is a spirit of perversion and lust. That same mentality, not only of homosexuality, but also lust and all manner of sexual perversion is rampant in our country today. One of Baal’s meanings is the god of covenant or marriage. And what big issue is being pushed today? Homosexual marriage.

2. Think back to Mt. Caramel in Elijah’s showdown with the prophets of Baal. After hours of shouting to Baal, and praying to him, in a last ditch effort to get Baal to move on their behalf, the prophets of Baal began to cut themselves and mutilate themselves to get Baal to move. Our generation has cried out for something to happen, and in desperation many have turned to the phenomenon of cutting to ‘relieve’ the pain and anger. They have been crying out to Baal, not Jesus, and Baal has remained silent.

3. In the temple of Baal human sacrifices were offered to Molech, a spirit that is just under Baal in Satan’s hierarchy. They would heat up the hands of the idol of Molech and place babies on the hands, burning them up as a sacrifice. The same thing exist today, except we offer babies to Baal on the altar of abortion!

There are quite a few more parallels, but I think these three will suffice for now.

Mark 3:27 says, ‘no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man.’

How can you bind the strong man in the Spirit unless God shows you who that strong man is? You cannot! God, through discernemt, has shown that Baal is the strong man over America. Now what are you going to do with that information? You are going to bind the strongman, the spirit of Baal, because ‘whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.’ And once it is bound in Heaven, in the spiritual realm, it will be bound on earth as well.

That is because Jesus prayed your Kingdom come, your dominion come, on Earth as it is in Heaven. In short, if we bind him here, God binds him in the Spirit, then extends that authority and dominion into the Physical realm.

Once he has been fully bound we can take the possessions, and that great possession is the harvest that, up until now, has been blinded by the devices of the enemy!

Join with me in binding this spirit of Baal and interceding for the coming harvest!

In Him,

Andrew Peters
Remnant Ministries

Technorati Tags: revival, intercession, prayer for America, Remnant Ministries, Andrew Peters, spirit of Baal, Molech, spirit of Elijah, last days ministries, Kingdom of God, binding the strongman, hope for America

The first day September signals the coming (at least this year) of the Labor Day weekend, traditionally known as the end of summer and the beginning of fall. I know, fall doesn’t “officially” begin until later on in the month at the fall equinox, but, whose looking at that…

In my spirit there is an excitement as we enter this “new season”…I sense God is building our faith in HIM, taking our trust and dependence OFF government we have developed over the last 8 years, and putting it back on HIM where it belongs! He’s telling me to trust HIM for everything! And I have to be honest, thats hard for me to do…

But with that passage to the next state, stage, subject and place, it also means, we need to participate with HIM; so what is it HE is asking you to let go of? release? what is HE asking you to believe HIM for? What is HE asking you to grab hold of, even if you are afraid? One person wrote me a message last week and said, “David…whatever God is speaking to you to do and it makes you afraid, DO IT AFRAID!!!! But don’t be afraid to write it down, and pray it through! And remember, greater is HE who lives in us than he that is in the world!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, transition, new season, breaking the spirit of fear, trust, faith

We started our ministry time in Kitengela, a suburb of the Capital City of Nairobi. We had the honor of taking part in the ordination of 12 Pastors who are affiliated with Christ Victory Ministries/Victory Family Church under the direction of Bishop David Matipei. Friday and Saturday night revival meetings were powerful, and the Sunday ordination service found the church packed with people as well as the anointing of the Holy Spirit!

Monday August 10th we traveled to Kilgoris a town in the Western Province, approximately 180 miles west of Nairobi. We have had the honor of ministering now in the Kilgoris area since 2005. Between 30-50 pastors from several different denominations gathered at the Masaai Christian Academy for six days of Seminar during the day, a crusade in the afternoon, and revival services at night. And God didn’t disappoint any of us!

Wednesday afternoon the crusade began and well over 100 people gave their lives to Jesus on that first afternoon! The sick were prayed for and God touched so many people’s physical ailments, we lost count of the number.

Thursday afternoon the rains came as the altar call was given. There were so many people wanting prayer we couldn’t stop praying for them even if we were getting soaked! As the crowd was dispersing because of the rain, a six year old crippled boy was brought to the platform for prayer. As all of our team laid hands on the boy, he began to walk for the first time in his young life! TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!!!! Needless to say when the crowd heard the boy was healed, they were running back to the field to see the miracle God had done!

Friday had Charles Kalkomey and me traveling to Kisi a town one hour north of Kilgoris while Ralph Sawh and Jude Tharp stayed behind to cover the Kilgoris crusade. Charles and I ministered to a group of pastors and leaders at Kisi Central Pentecostal Church in the morning then traveled to Nyanturago, a small town south of Kisi for an afternoon crusade in which at least 100 people raised their hands to confess Jesus as their Lord!
Saturday, once again we split time between Kisi and Kilgoris. This time the rains came and washed out the roads leading to Nyanturago for the crusade. But it was all in God’s will for us to be back in Kilgoris in time for the crusade!

At the altar call many more sick were prayed for and testified they felt God’s healing power surge through them. Again toward the end, a 12 year old deaf girl was brought to the back of the platform. Several of us gathered around her along with a pastor from Burundi, laid hands on her and she instantly began to hear for the first time in her life! Again, TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!!!! But best of all, almost 500 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ during the week of crusade!

God is still the GOD OF MIRACLES! I have shared these events with many since I returned to the States and almost 100% of the response has been: “when is this going to happen here!”

When we get as hungry for God as they are in developing countries! They don’t have a government who is trying to be god for them. Many of them don’t know where their next meal is coming from. And I realize we have many needs here in the U.S that needs tending too! That’s why Revival Now Ministries is doing our part to serve not only places like Kenya, Guyana and soon the nation of Burundi; we spend far more time reaching out to rural areas of the United States that many others evangelists will never go to. These are places where is not the promise of a big offering, or an opportunity to stay at the nearest 5 star hotel. I’m not against people being blessed or staying in nice hotels; but we cannot rest until the whole world knows Jesus has come to save, heal, deliver and set the captives free! Of every nation of the world! That includes our whole world.

Another thrill I’ve already alluded to was about a pastor and his eight month pregnant wife from Burundi; he found our website on the internet, contacted us on Friday July 31st and met us, pregnant wife and all in Kilgoris for the pastors meetings. He came for the fellowship and the teaching of the pastors seminar; but he came for the express purpose of begging us (literally) to please come to Burundi to preach the Gospel!

This is no doubt the hour for the completion of the Great Commission! No one church can reach every nation! No one denomination alone has or will be able to complete the Great Commission! No one ministry such as ours will be able to do it all. But every one of us has the mandate from Jesus Himself to do our part: GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL!

Thanks to everyone, especially the churches, who gave a special offering to help us with our Kenya expenses. Thank you to all our partners who have given and continue to give so sacrificially to Revival Now Ministries to help us cover the earth with the message of repentance, restoration and revival! Great will be your reward when we stand before God! God’s economy is not in recession! And for His people, even in times of famine, we WILL be satisfied!

Psalms 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

You can also keep up with Revival Now Ministries on Facebook. Join Facebook and search for Revival Now Ministries page and join us for Facebook updates.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, supernatural miracles, Holy Spirit Outpouring, healing, is healing for today, faith, Kenya East Africa, famine, recession, provision in recession, Masaai Christan Academic Center Kilgoris Kenya

Most of you do not know these women. But both these women are definitely known in heaven!

Lorene McClanahan was like a spiritual grandmother to me and Pam. In fact many years ago when sin and circumstances destroyed the relationship with my side of the family, Brother and Sister Mac came to me and Pam after a Sunday night service and told us, “…we’ll be your grandparents now…”. She was a spiritual mother to so many people, and was one of the most faithful, urgent prayer warriors Revival Now Ministries had. She has entered into the Presence of our God and I believe she has heard “well done good and faithful servant!”

Georgia Bullard was a tremendous woman of God and one of the pioneer ladies of the Pentecostal movement in Lanett Alabama. She served as organist for Evangel Temple in Lanett for many years. Her husband Hilliyard passed away many years ago and she has been in declining health since. This precious couple was a tremendous blessing to our lives over the years we have known them. Each time I saw her, I saw the love of Jesus and the peace of God shine brightly out of her face and her life! She truly exemplified the scriptural instruction to women as being one with a meek and quiet spirit.

These women of God will be greatly missed! Heaven’s gain is earth’s great loss.

Technorati Tags: great women of God, intercessors, faithful Christians, death for people of God, promotion, Holy Spirit outpouring

I returned home this morning about 8am after spending almost 2 1/2 days in airports across Africa trying to get home. Sinced I haven’t slept since…I don’t know when, I’ll save the details for later when my brain will work better…in Jesus name!

Also, pray four our youngest daughter Missy on Thursday as she will be induced into labor in Birmingham Alabama bringing us our fourth grand baby! A girl!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Kenya East Africa,   Kilgors Kenya, is healing for today

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to minister at the Bridge in Cusseta Alabama, just outside the Auburn/Opelika area. We were honored to participate in a Pastor Appreciation for Pastors Bill and Debbie Bryan. Bill and Debbie are great friends of ours that we have know for 18 years. They have taken a rural church, been faithful and consistent and God has granted them great growth and a great ministry there. Prayer and being faithful to God and God’s plan for your life will bring great rewards!

Most importantly, God showed up BIG in both services with dozens filling the altars receiving from the Holy Spirit! We were also honored to have Cross Connection Church and Pastor Jon Russell join us in the pm service. What a great day when churches can come together and worship Jesus, and build HIS KINGDOM! Yes, I shouted!!!!!

We are now at the last day of preparations for our Kenya trip. Wednesday August 5-19, we will participate in ministry in Kitengela, Kilgoris and Kisii. Pastors Seminars in the day and crusades/revival services at night. I am looking forward to being with our dear friends there in Kenya! God has opened to us a tremendous door of opportunity, and I am so grateful for His trust in me! Thanks to all our partners and partner churches who sowed a seed to help us feed and house these pastors in Kenya during these days we are there.

I really believe God is calling on us to walked deeper with Him into a level of faith and trust we have either not had before, or maybe not had to walk in before. But if He is calling us forth, He’s going to increase our faith and trust in HIM! The truth is, every blessing God pours out on us, is His way of deepening our dependence, trust and our addiction to His Presence!

I’m and addict! A Jesus addict!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, The Bridge Cusseta Alabama, Cross Connection Church Auburn Alabama, Kenya revival Holy Spirit

This is a blog and not a book, so I will attempt to be brief. If you go by human tradition, it belongs to neither one of them; if the Word of God is the Authority in your life, then you know God promised the land to Abraham and his seed through Isaac.

In some Christian discussion groups and internet boards, I am noticing a growing resentment to Israel and the US’s support of them. There is a sinister move in our government (and even in the Body of Christ) to isolate Israel and pressure them to make concessions over land and especially the city of Jerusalem that if it continues in the direction it is going now, an all out assault against the Jewish people is coming that could truly lead us into the battle of Armageddon!

Let me also say, as a Christian I also love the Palestinian people! There are Palestinian believers who are also suffering a tremendous persecution from their own people for rejecting Islam and service Jesus. I am not saying everything Israel does is godly. But we should pray for them, believe in them and thank them! It was because of their rejection of Jesus as Messiah the first time that brought us the opportunity to accept Him as our Messiah! But one day they will see Him come on that White Horse and declare He IS King of Kings and Lord of Lords! One day, God will turn His attention to Israel and according to Romans 11, they will be saved.

Romans Chapter 11 is Paul’s defense of the Jewish people, their place in God’s Kingdom and the answer to critics who say God no long recognizes Israel as His chosen people:

Rom 11:1  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, [of] the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom 11:2  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.

The first Christian believers were Jews. Since 1948, our nation has supported the Jewish people. Yes, many of them hate us as Christians because of atrocities that were committed against them in the Name of Jesus back during the crusades. Muslims also hate us for the same things. But with a Baptism of the Love of God on us, we can show both Jews and Muslims that Jesus didn’t come to take over the world by military force, but He came to conqueror mankind buy the force of Love! We are the generation that could actually see the fulfillment of Mathew 24 in our lifetime! We must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and resist this belief system in the Church that Israel is no longer the chosen people of God!

I don’t have the time or space to go into a detailed study of this chapter. You need to read it; study it; digest it in your spirit and you will see verse 29 still says

The gifts and calling of God is without repentance! Or, as the NIV says, they are irrevocable!

Technorati Tags: revival, Israel, Replacement Theology, God’s chosen people, Church of Jesus Christ

I an so thankful for all the partners God has given to us across the United States! We could not touch the small churches and rural areas we minister in America nor touch the nations of Kenya and Guyana without the help of our friends!

For every soul that comes to Christ, every sick body that is healed; for every marriage that is put back together from a message we preach or a prayer we pray; for every pastor and his family that is encouraged, you, our friends and partners will share in the reward of that when we hear Jesus say, “well done good and faithful servants!”

To ALL our partners here in the US and around the world, Pam and I say: THANK YOU!!!!!

This weekend we are excited to be back in Pattison Texas with our friends and family Pastors Brad and Ann Marie Morgan at New Life Beginnings Church. Services are 6pm Saturday night and 10:30am Sunday Morning. if you are close by we would love to have you join us in these power packed services!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, friendship, partnership, New Life Beginnings Church, Pastor Brad Morgan

For the last three plus years, our youngest children David & Missy Russell have served on staff at National Community Church in Washington DC with Pastor Mark Batterson. This has been a wonderful growing experience for them as well as for us. It’s also provided three good reasons to visit our nations Capital when were were within five hours of DC.

They have now accepted a staff position at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham Alabama with Pastor Chris Hodges. David will be serving on the IT team as web developer…or whatever geeks do in those positions…and Missy will have our new grandbaby in Birmingham!

Thanks Pastor Mark for giving them this wonderful opportunity to grow and develop; and thanks Pastor Chris and Church of the Highlands for bring our kids home!

Technorati Tags: David Russell, Missy Russell, Pastor Mark Batterson, National Community Church, Church of the Highlands, Pastor Chris Hodges, christian IT developers

Copies of our book Breaking the Spirit of Absalom are available by calling our office at 706-773-1546. You can also order on line at http://davidcopelandbook.com or by visiting amazon.com All proceeds from the sale of this book will support our various missions projects around the world!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Absalom Spirit, Breaking Spirit of Absalom, Beauregard Revival Center

The Holy Spirit showered down on Sunday at Beauregard Revival Center outside Opelika Alabama! The altars filled both services on Sunday with hungry people seeking the face of Jehovah God!

There really is no “formula” to a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit; if there is any such thing it would be action on 2 Chronicles 7:14.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Services will now go through Wednesday night at 6:30 pm Central Time.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in Alabama, Beauregard Revival Center

I have conducted hundreds of funerals over the life of my ministry, and I can truly say, every funeral I have been to or been a part of, there is a sadness that has marked my heart!

But as I have watched the VERY little of the media coverage of his death and funeral plans (no more than 15 minutes total since June 25) several things have grieved my heart;

1. A young man died way before his time. I will be 48 years old in September. This is too close to my age!
2. A young man made a ton…and I mean a ton of money; but from all the reports, died lonely, hurting, searching for enough peace to sleep at night…and couldn’t find it! You can gain the whole world but if you lose your soul what have you gained?
3. A young man left a legacy of entertainment, music, dancing, weird looks, and even weirder outfits; even had a “Six Flags” amusement park in his own back yard, but still couldn’t find enough money and toys and entertainment and trips abroad or satisfaction to help give him peace…
4. This young man had the charisma to make grown men grovel in awe and young girls scream with hysterical excitement at his appearance…
5. He rose to the pinnacle of his profession, owned the copyrights to some of the greatest entertainers who have lived in our lifetime works and songs…

And yet Michael Jackson died!

And so will you.

And so will I. (not good English, but you get my drift!)

The idolatry that has manifested since June 25th only underscores what most of us “peker-wood preachers” have been talking about for many years: America is sick and doesn’t even know it!

In fact, most people…even church people… like it this way!

None of us reading this blog will have our funeral at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. We won’t get to have our funeral in Jordon-Hare or Bryant-Denny Stadium in Auburn or Tuscaloosa. And I am NOT in any way jealous of the fame and fortune Michael Jackson gained in his life time!

I just want to stand in front of a CNN/FOX/MSNBC camera and shout out: YOU CAN’T TAKE THESE THINGS WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO! WHO ARE YOU GOING TO MEET WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR LAST BREATH HERE AND YOUR FIRST BREATH THERE?

Just because you are a good person and a great entertainer and own 50% of Sony, doesn’t mean you get to go to heaven!

Only confessing Jesus is the King of ALL kings and the Lord of ALL lords; and then turn to the Lord (Acts 11:21) will guarantee you eternal Life in heaven!

I really DO pray Mr. Jackson called on Jesus before he took his last breath!

My heart breaks for the children Michael left behind. My prayer is that the children will be introduced to Jesus Christ’s abiding love; his family will come to know the true sacrifice that Jesus paid for their salvation and that it’s not in how many tracts and Watchtower Publications you can hand out;

And I really pray God will forgive us for the idolatry that has been on display for the last 3 weeks! But what do you expect from a nation in which their #1 TV show is called “American Idol”?

And I also pray God will forgive Christian people for the idolatry we have committed in worshiping our own “stars” (preachers, worship leaders, evangelists, denominations, etc)

We have become so entertainment driven that now the preaching of the Gospel is simply another form of entertainment

Oh Father God, send us another Great Awakening!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Michael Jackson, death, life after death, what happens when you die, Christian entertainment, Great Awakening, idolotry

July 4, 1776 there were 56 men who decided that freedom was worth dying for.  They came to a defining moment in their lives and it became a defining moment in the history of the US and the world. Because of their defining moment five signers of the Declaration of Independence were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to defend the fledging new country.
 
Twenty four of the signers of the Declaration of Independance were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well death would be the cost if captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
This isn’t meant to be a dissertation on our history. It’s a simple sermon that I hope is truly a message from God. Secondly, I’m not nominating all of our founding fathers for sainthood. But with that being said let me say this: there is a lot of revisionist today that are totally ignoring or distorting the faith of our Founding Fathers. A lot of these men were motivated by their faith in Jesus.
John Witherspoon was an ordained minister and authored several books of sermons, as well as editing America’s first family Bible in 1791.

Charles Thomson served as Secretary of Congress and was a Biblical scholar. He helped edit the first American translation of the Greek Septuagint into English.

Charles Carroll, the last of the fifty-six signers to pass away at the age of 95 in 1832, wrote out his declaration of faith at the age of eighty-nine.

On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for my salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.

Another Founding Father, Benjamin Rush, is considered the “Father of American Medicine.” He personally trained three thousand medical students. Dr. Rush also founded “The First Day Society” which was the precursor to the Sunday School movement, as well as founding America’s first Bible society. It was Benjamin Rush who said the Constitution was “as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of divine power.”

Francis Hopkinson was a church music director and edited one of the first hymnals printed in America in 1767. He also set 150 psalms to music.

Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father to sign all four of America’s Founding documents: the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation in 1778, and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Roger Sherman was also a theologian. He wrote a personal creed that was adopted by his church:

I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.

I could share story after story, but the bottom line is this: many of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their Faith in Jesus Christ. They wrote sermons and creeds and hymns. They founded Bible Societies and Sunday Schools. They served God’s purposes faithfully and completely in their lifetime.

And all their labor, plus the labor and sacrifice of so many others who have gone before us but may never be mentioned in the annuals of American history, or in the books of Church history from the last 233 years, but all of them bring us…..you and I to a place in which we must have our own defining moment!

For the last 30 years, the Church in America has bought into the premise that there is one political party to vote for and one certain candidate we should believe in…and that mentality has directed us away from total trust in God!

GOD NEVER INTENDED FOR US TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS, TRUST, RELIANCE AND DEPENDENCE ON ANYTHING OTHER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ETERNAL WORD OF GOD AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!!! (anytime you mix religion and politics together, all you get is more politics)

While these may be perilous days, troublesome days…uncertain days…I have more faith and confidence and Biblical hope today than I have had in the 31 years I have preached this Gospel!

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but Jesus words will never pass away!!!!

All the turmoil…all the political spin…all the lies and all the fear and the fraud is God removing His hand of protection to awaken us to the realization that we need our own defining moment!

What is going to be your defining moment?

On Sunday July 5th, Christian leaders from across the denominational spectrum will lead their congregations in at least 5 minutes of repentance and special prayer for our nation. Not a prayer for a change in political party; but prayer that the Church of Jesus Christ will once again humble herself and pray and seek HIS face and turn from our wicked ways; then HE will hear from heaven, He will forgive our sin and He will heal our land!

As we humble ourselves during our July 4th celebrations today and tomorrow, may this be our defining moment for a turn around to righteousness!

Technorati Tags: repentance, righteousness, revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, Call2Fall, Founding Fathers Faith

We are also excited about the possibility to lead a team from Oasis to the Congo sometime next year! Of course we are continuing our work in Kenya East Africa, leaving with a team of men August 5. Please keep this team and this trip covered in prayer.

Thanks again to everyone who have purchased the book Break the Spirit of Absalom. This is a subject I have blogged extensively on and preached on since 2003. This would make a great and easy two part small group study for your church or Sunday School class. You can order from Amazon.com, or by clicking davidcopelandbook.com. ALL proceeds from the sale of this book helps us to fund our mission projects in Kenya.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, Oasis Church Pascagoula, Mississippi, Pastor Eric Camp, Pastor Toni Camp, Absalom, Congo, Kenya, revival in Mississippi

This weekend we are looking forward to spending Sunday Services at Oasis Church in Pascagoula Mississippi. Pastors Eric and Toni Camp are precious friends of ours and this ministry. God has used them to take a church that was literally on the spiritual embalming table, and by the Power of the Holy Spirit resurrect a ministry that is now transforming the Mississippi Gulf Coast! For directions and info concerning Oasis Church visit http://clife.cc.

Sunday through next Wednesday we will be in Graysville Tennessee at Unity Gospel Tabernacle with Pastor Mike Hedricks. This church is one of our partner churches, and we always look forward to going there! For all our friends in the SE Tennessee area, services are at 10am & 6pm Sunday; Monday – Wednesday at 7pm.

I also want to thank everyone who has purchased our first book Breaking the Spirit of Absalom. I have had many wonderful commets and even a couple of negative comments. You can’t please everyone you know! But even the negative comments have been constructive!

You can order you copy of Breaking the Spirit of Absalom from Amazon.com or by going to http://davidcopelandbook.com. All proceeds from the sale of this book will help support our missions projects both here in America as well as around the world!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Absalom, Breaking The Spirit of Absalom, Unity Gospel Tabernacle, revival in Tennessee, Holy Spirit outpouring

I was able to spend some time having lunch with Pastor Johnny Hamby, Pastor of Beauregard Revival Center in Opelika Alabama this week. We were discussing different things we both are seeing take place in this world of ours. We are truly living in the last days! I know, we’ve all heard that so much we are sick of hearing it! But it doesn’t change the fact that Jesus IS coming soon!

While we were fellowshipping (that a charismatic term that means we were feeding our face) I remembered a couple of weeks ago I happened to turn on the TV when we got back to our room after a revival service, and Conan O’Brian was being interviewed by Jay Leno on what his thoughts were on taking over the Tonight Show. He had been told over and over that he had big shoes to fill. He basically said he would like for once not to have big shows to fill…

Two things dropped in my spirit;

1. All of us have big shoes to fill! Or better, all of us are traveling down a trail someone else has already blazed! Jesus told his disciples in John 4:38 that they were entering in to other men’s labors; others had preached and lived and declared and suffered and sacrificed so that the generation alive then would be prepared to hear the words of Jesus and be changed.

Don’t curse the fact that you are living in the shadow of someone elses success; and don’t complain if you are living in the shadow of someone elses failures! God had enough confindence in us the we would do the right thing and follow Him with all our hearts., or He never would have called us to begin with! Don’t allow the spirit of disqualification to paralyze you with fear or unbelief so that you are not able to finish the assignment you have on the earth! God has not called you to be like any body else on this earth; He has called you to be you! So be the BEST you you can be. You cannot be that by simply thinking good thoughts or saying good things about yourself; it comes from a place of total surrender to Jesus Christ and His will for your life! 

2. Everybody has some kind of mess someone has left them to clean up! This is preaching to me, because as an evangelist, I get to live in the shadows of what other evangelists have done, both good and bad; and every day of my life I get criticised or compaired to some jack-leg preacher that has abused or misused people, or someone who has been exposed for being in the ministry only for the money. Yet God is calling me to be faithful to what HE has called me to do.

I am coming out of the closet! I am an itinerant minister and I am not ashamed of it! There are many many churches I will never get to preach in because my gift would not be accepted there. I do not want to go where I am tolerated, I want to go where the Grace of God in me can be celebrated! And when I do that, it pleases HIM, brings honor to the Kingdom of God and adds treasure to my pile in Heaven. I want to have a pile of treasure when I get to Heaven, don’t you?

In prayer this week, the Presence of God began to break me with His massive love…and all I could say is God, please let me finish strong…let me finish STRONG!

Let’s determine to finish strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS MIGHT! Everyone is walking in someone elses footsteps; and everyone is having to live down someone elses mistakes!

The grace of God is a gift to be treasured and respected; not a line of credit to be abused and misused! 

Let the fire fall!!!!!

We will be ministering this weekend through next Tuesday in Midland City Alabama (outside Dothan) at Sanctuary of Praise with Pastor Ricky Martin. This will be our first time there, and we are looking for God to show up and show out! If you are in the south Alabama area we would love to have you join  us!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Christianity, revival fire, grace, mercy, 21st century evangelism, Beauregard Revival Center

At least 7 different churches and ministers from several other ministries worshiped together and the Glory of God fell! I feel that we are going to begin to see more of these unity meetings take place; especially among the Spirit Filled community. Not as an act of competition or man building; but in the spirit of cooperation and unity Jesus prayed for in John 17.

The altar was filled with hungry people crying out to God for the fire of God to consume their lives. And at least one that we know of was filled with the Holy Spirit!

Thanks Pastor David and Susan for allowing us this wonderful honor to take part in these meetings!

Let the fire fall!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Assemblies of God in Alabama, Life Church Rainbow City Alabama, Pastors David and Susan Strahan, revival in Alabama

Thursday was spent traving to Washington DC where we were able to spend a few hours with our daughter and her family who are working with Pastor Mark Batterson and National Community Church. There are making a tremendous difference in the lives of the people of Washington DC!

Friday was a lllooonnnnggg and I mean long drive home through some of the heaviest rain and traffic I’ve seen in ages. Getting home at 3am doesn’t leave you much time to answer phone calls and blog. Especially when you have to pry your hands off the stearing wheel when you do get home! So friends, I’m not avoiding your calls; give me a chance to stay in a cell phone area for longer than 30 minutes without having to study to preach! I promise, I will call you this week!

Sunday will find us in Rainbow City Alabama at Life Church with Pastors David and Susan Strahan. Sunday night we will they will host a regional one night Holy Spirit Emphasis that we are believing God to use to empower that region with an awakening from Heaven!

Thanks to everyone who ahs already ordered the book Breaking the Spirit of Absalom. I should receive our first shipment on Monday or Tuesday. You can order the book on the web at http://davidcopelandbook.com.  I pray it will be a blessing to everyone who reads it!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Life Church Rainbow City Alabama, Breaking the Spirit of Absalom, Wytheville Virginia, Liberty Hill Church, Pastor Bobby Lewis, Pastor David Strahan, revival in Alabama, revival in Virginia, Holy Spirit outpouring

After many months of work, we now have available our first book titled ”Breaking The Spirit of Absalom“. You can order it online by going to http://davidcopelandbook.com. Any help in promoting this book would be appreciated. I am not trying to get rich writing books, and you will see by reading the book I am not a fluent writer. But this is a message inplanted in my spirit by the Holy Ghost that I’m convinced is a needed word for many in the Body right now!

All the proceeds from the sale of this book will help fund our various missions projects. Thanks to Yorkshire Publishing,  Tulsa Oklahoma for their help in publishing Absalom.

Thanks for all your support!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Absalom, Breaking the Spirit of Absalom, Absalom spirit, characteristics of an Absalom

Sunday May 31 is this year’s Pentecost Sunday Celebration! We are excited to be back in Wytheville Virginia with our friends at Liberty Hill Church and Pastor Bobby Lewis!

As we celebrate the birthday of the church, let’s remember without the Power of the Holy Spirit we are nothing but another social gathering! We can gather to socialize on Facebook and MySpace! Let gather tomorrow and contend for the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit this planet has ever seen! And feel free to stop back by and share your comments on what took place in your local church!

Just as this past Resurrection Sunday was the greatest in my lifetime, I’m expecting God to show up and make this year’s Pentecost Celebration the greatest in my lifetime!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Pentecost Sunday, Holy Spirit Outpouring, revival in Virginia, Liberty Hill Church

Transition is never an easy season. Yet for many years, God has been pulling the body of Christ through many changes. The world changes constantly, but the church always seems to lag behind. But it’s not 1950 and it never will be again! The one thing that is constant no matter what generation you are a part of is:change

But understand I am not one given to change simpy for changes sake; Solomon warns us to beware of those kind of people. But without a doubt, God is pulling us through some massive changes, which when He does it is always for the better!

Allow the Holy Spirit to bring to you, in you, and though you the changes HE wants to make in your life this week! You will always be the better for it!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, transition, Holy Spirit outpouring

Several were saved and filled with the Holy Ghost (yes, I said it they spoke in tongues in a Baptist church; but this ain’t yo mama’s Baptist church!) and the power of God again hovered over every service. But what blessed me the most (again) was I counted at least 7 (seven) different churches that participated in the meetings this week; most of them Pentecostal and Independent churches, coming together with a Baptist church to see people saved, get on fire for God and to renew their own passion for Jesus!

This is becoming a recurring theme; I know I repeat it over and over; but the Holy Ghost IS doing something so unique, that I see John 17 beginning to unfold before my eyes! Jesus’ prayer that we may be one, even as He and the Father are one is coming to pass! Not an ecumenical unity that says we must compromise the integrity and the purity of Scripture; but a unity based on Scripture, the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

To me, that’s revival!

Looking forward this weekend to being with Shane Smith and our friends at The River @ Eufaula!

Let the Fire fall!!!!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in Tennessee, Midway Baptist Church Soddy Daisy Tennessee, Holy Spirit outpouring, revival in the last days 

Last weekend at the tent revival in Immokalee Florida God showed up in a mighty way! We were honored to be able to tag team with Carl and Tracey Thomas on Saturday night and Sunday night. I will let him post and tell his perspective. But God literally drew people from all over the city to the tent, saved them and filled many with the Holy Ghost!

Thanks to my friends Eddie and Standford for connecting us with Pastor John  Becks, Pastor of the New Testament Church in Immokalee for these meetings.

God IS getting us ready for the next Great Awakening!

This week we will be in meetings at Midway Baptist Church in Soddy Daisy, my old stomping grounds! Pray for the mighty move that began at our Friday Night Fire service a couple of weeks ago will carry over this next week!

Let the fire FALL!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in Florida, revival in Immokalee Florida

Praise God anyhow!!!

Headed to Immokalee Florida to take part in a tent meeting that is being conducted by The New Testament Church there in Immokalee. My friend Eddie Ruis who travels with us to Guyana frequently gave us the invite and Pam and I are super excited! The demons I have had to battle this week indicates its going to be a great weekend in the Holy Ghost! This is the third week of meetings under the tent with many people coming to Jesus; they are also feeding everyone who comes a full meal every night! That’s a great outreach if you ask me!

I don’t know anyone who would turn down free food! Looking forward to hooking up with my friend Carl Thomas some this weekend also!

Technorati Tags: revival, tent revivals, Holy Spirit Outpouring, Immokalee Florida, New Testament Church Immokalee

Friday Night Fire was…on fire with a couple of men receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit; the power of God literally hovered over the place! I can’t wait to do it again! Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make it special! You know who you are!

Because we live away from our extended family it was nice to spend Saturday at the Levi Family Reunion. This was a time for us to gather with Pam’s family riding four wheelers, playing kick ball pulling pranks on one another, telling tales and of course…eating chicken and banana pudding!

Sunday services at Watts Bar Church of God had the altars filled with hungry hearts, some receiving salvation, some rededicating their lives to Christ and many receiving the Holy Spirit Baptism! This church was already in a spirit of revival before we came; God just intensified it on Sunday! We appreciate Pastor Connie Goins for allowing us to take part in this special day! And thanks to everyone who responded to the drawing of the Holy Spirit!

I ministered on Sunday morning on “What Do You Do When God Says No?” I was going to do a teaching on it and sent it out to our partners; but I may send it as it was ministered on this past Sunday morning. There was truly an anointing of deliverance there that set people free! If you would like a copy of it send me an email to .

Technorati Tags: revival, Friday Night Fire, Watts Bar Church of God, Pastor Connie Goins, revival in Tennessee

For the last three years, God has been dealing with me about getting more on neutral territory and have services. Not to abandon the church; but there is a whole segment of our society that will never darken the doors of any local church. They are hungry and searching for God and would consider coming to something held on neutral territory! We are believing God for a harvest of souls, and for the saints to be touched and encouraged to follow on in their walk with the Lord! We are also working with several local churches in the area to connect people to after the meeting should they not have a local church to attend.

If you are interested in a Friday Night Fire service coming to your area, hit me up by email at ; or call me at 706-773-1546.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Friday Night Fire, revival in Tennessee, outreach, Holy Spirit outpouring

1. YOU ARE VALUABLE TO SOMEONE (someone needs you or your services today! Someone has prayed all day today for the gift in you to enter their life!).
 
2. YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT ( we fail only when we quit so no matter how many times we goof just get up and go again ).

3. IF NO ONE ELSE BUT ME HAS BEEN BLESSED BY YOUR FRIENDSHIP THEN THAT’S ENOUGH (I know that just because of who you are I can’t be the only life you have touched and blessed drastically).
 
Well I have done my part to try to dilute all the bad stuff you have encountered today hope it helped. 

You ARE blessed and highly favored of the Lord!

Technorati Tags: revival, power of Biblical speaking, Blood of Jesus, Christianity, Holy Spirit outpouring

We were delayed in landing in Houston because of flooding rains that covered the runway at Hobby Airport. we were routed to San Antonio for fuel then to Houston putting us in at 6pm instead of 2pm making us miss the Saturday night service ordaining Jim and Elayne Slater. But we did get in on the closing prayer which was very powerful!

Sunday the gifts of the Spirit flowed freely and powerfully; at times there wasn’t a dry eye in the church! While most pastors are moving away from allowing the gifts to operate, I’m glad to know of a church that is actually allowing the gifts to operate with excellence and order! Bringing edification, exhortation and comfort! I think Paul covered all that in 1 Corinthians 14.

I am also very grateful for the partnership that God has given to us with NLBC as well as many other churches across the nation. Digging wells of Living Water is the most important assigment we have in this hour! God help us get ready for the Great Awakening that is coming!

Let the fire fall!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in Texas, New Life Beginnings Church Pattison Texas, Pastor Brad Morgan, Rev. Jim Slater, Men In Training, mens ministry

We also will have the honor of participating in the ordination of Jim and Elaine Slater. Jim has a wonderful ministry to the men of that region. In fact, I he reminds me a lot of Ed Lweis Cole, the great men’s speaker that went to heaven a few years ago. It’s going to be a privilege to be a part of this wonderful evening!

We would love to see all our friends in the Katy/Pattison area; services are 6pm Saturday night and 10:30am Sunday.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, New Life Beginnings Church, Pastor Brad Morgan, Jim Slater, men’s ministries

On Wednesday the church received a tremendous gift from a local hospital; a used ambulance! Ray Christy otherwise known as Boomer, has an outreach ministry to emergency services personnel and to victims of fires, wrecks and other emergencies; for the last several years, they have been going to fires, wrecks and other disasters serving the emergency personnel, coffee, snacks, water Gatorade, etc. as a ministry to both the professionals as well as the victims. For the last several years they have operated out of the back of Ray’s truck; now he has his own ambulance to work out of! WHAT A COOL OUTREACH!!!!!!! Yes, I shouted!

To God be all the Glory! He IS moving! Touching hearts, changing lives, and giving creative ideas to people and churches on how to win their communities to Jesus!

All with the fire of the Spirit, and a passionate love from God!

Let the fire fall!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Tabernacle of Praise Bedford Indiana, Pastor Gary Thomas, Pastor Jeff Nikirk, Pastor Tom Jones, Pastor Ray Christy, new outreach ideas, Holy Spirit outpouring, revival in Indiana

Another joy of blogging is it has given us opportunity to connect with people who have the same heart we do: to see another great awakening come to this beloved nation of ours!

I had the opportunity today to have lunch with a fellow revivalist, Randy Martin from Bloomington Indiana. Randy and I a year apart in age, and entered the ministry approximately the same time, as young men. And we desperately want to see a genuine outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit touch our generation and the generations coming behind us! We don’t want to go back and recapture some “old glory”; we just know the glory of the latter house will be great than the former!

And I say, “bring it on Jesus!!!!”

You can visit Randy’s blog at http://randyjmartin.blogspot.com/. I know you will be blessed!

We conclude our meetings at Tabernacle of Praise in Bedford Indiana tonight. The services the past two night are indescribable! While some people are afraid of services where there is an intense drawing of the Holy Spirit to God, there are more and more people hungry and thirsty for everything He has for us!

Again I say, “BRING IT ON JESUS!!!!”

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Tabernacle of Praise, Pastor Gary Thomas, Pastor Jeff Nikirk, revival in Indiana, Randy J Martin, Aim High Ministries, Holy Spirit outpouring Bedford Indiana

I had sensed all week this was going to be an unusual Resurrection Weekend; different than anything we have experienced in our lifetime! I appreciate every pastor who has ever given me the opportunity to preach for them on Easter Sunday. Not many men of God want to give up the chance to preach to the lost on the most important day of the year! (And I don’t blame them!) Thanks Pastor Gary Thomas for letting me preach in Bedford today!!!!

While I have many wonderful memories of Easter Dramas, Easter Revivals, Sunrise services, in my spirit I felt like something was going to be different this year!

I preached on Hope and what the Resurrection means to me…while many who raised their hands for prayer at the altar call didn’t respond; many of them did! And those who did came into a fresh encounter with the Lord!

But something has shifted today! And from all the different reports I have gotten from around the country, there were more people in churches all across the country today than have been in many Easter Sundays!

In spite of what the news tells us that the church has lost its relevance; and in spite of Newsweek magazine publishing an article on the Decline of the Church, I HAVE a bulletin:

The church is not dead, because Jesus is not dead! HE IS RISEN!!!!!

Get ready folks! God is getting us ready for the next Great Awakening!!!

We began coming here annually about four years ago and God has knit our hearts together to see a harvest of souls come from this area! In fact, I’m convinced this is one of those catalyst churches God is using under the radar to influence a community as well as a generation for Jesus!

If you are in the region we would love to have you join us Sunday 10am and Monday-Wednesday at 7pm! 

And just in case you haven’t heard the news: HE’S ALIVE!!!!!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Tabernacle of Praise Bedford Indiana, revival in Indiana, Pastor Gary Thomas

But HE IS more than a man!

He’s more than a god!

He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and God of gods…and all the suffering He did, He did it all for ME!!!!!

Thanks Jesus, for giving it all up!

Technorati Tags: revival, Crucifixion of Jesus, Passion of the Christ, Good Friday, suffering, hope, deliverance

We drove all night back to Alabama to take care of some personal as well as ministry business; we begin the trek to Bedford Indiana and Tabernacle of Praise. We have had many wonderful meetings with this congregation! And we are looking for God to do some great things this next week there. Pastor Gary Thomas told me the church is already in a state of revival; with this being Resurection Sunday, we are believing for a great harvest!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Ivanhoe Virginia, Beford Indiana, Taberncale of Praise, Pastor Gary Thomas, Holy Spirit outpouring

We continue to have people visit our blog after Goggle-ing info about the Spirit of Absalom. No subject (other than revival) is deeply burning in my heart than the subject of Absalom. I feel it is one of the most annoying as well as hindering spirits (if you can call it that) that is effecting our forward progress in God. I have been writing a book on Breaking the Spirit of Absalom that I hope will be finished by the first of May. If you are interested in a copy write me at and I will contact you when it is finished.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Ivanhoe Virginia, Spirit of Absalom

This month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which signifies to open, because all the buds and blossoms are now opening and we have arrived at the gates of the flowery year.  (Charles Spurgeon Devotion)

To open. As we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this month I want you to take time to focus on a couple of thoughts:

First, the heaven opened. The heaven opened one day and an angel came and visited an unknown insignificant Jewish girl in whom God was well pleased; and she opened he heart and received and believed the word spoken unto her. Be it unto me according to your word Oh Lord!

Second, death opened. Death opened up its sinister mouth and took our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not killed; the Romans soldiers didn’t kill Him; the Jews didn’t kill Him; He gave up the ghost…He died! But all the while he was dead, He was really alive! Taking the keys away from satan that had kept generations in fear of the unknown that was to come! While He was dead, He was opening up eternal life for all humanity, taking the keys of hell and of the grave!

Thirdly, the grave opened. When the first day of the week had finally arrived, God dispatched an angel to open the grave that had been sealed by Pilate and the Sanhedrin council to prevent people from stealing Jesus’ Body and saying He was really alive. The Sanhedrin couldn’t keep Him there; the Roman soldiers couldn’t keep Him there; satan couldn’t keep Him there, because when God the Father opens the door, no man can shut it!

April signifies to us also there is coming a day in which the heavens will open, and “… the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  I Thes. 4: 16-18

April declares to me the open door for a new beginning! New flowers, new leaves on the trees, brown grass turning green again, all tell us our Father loves us so much He is giving us an open door to a new beginning!

Don’t be afraid to walk on through the door to your next season in God!

Technorati Tags: revival, definition of April, new beginnings, spring, revival updates, Holy Spirit Outpouring, resurrection

I am happy to welcome to the blogosphere a dear brother in the Lord, Jeb Jennings. Jeb and his wife Lori served with Pam and I as worship pastors at Evangel Temple in Lanett during our time there as Lead Pastors. Jeb has a right now word from the Throne room that I believe will bless your life! I have been after him for some time to start blogging, so finally his day has arrived!

Jeb and Lori currently lead Destiny Home in the Dadeville Alabama area, a  ministry we are very honored to support.

Visit his new blog at http://dhministry.blogspot.com I gurantee you will be blessed! 

Technorati Tags: revival, Destiny Home Dadeville Alabama, Jeb and Lori Jennings,  fresh fire

I appreciate the overwhelming response from around the country and all over the world we have received for Samson. As most of you know, we were a part of a seven week outpouring there at New Life Worship Center in 2006 that has bonded us to that congregation as well as to the area. Please continue to pray for both Samson, Geneva and the surrounding area as they continue to recover from the slaying of 10 innocent people on March 10th.

Some prayer points: pray against the spirit of fear, as well as unforgiveness, bitterness and disillusionment; these have all overwhelmed the people in area. Now that the satellite trucks are gone from the area, the real men and women of God are laboring on a daily basis to be a channel for the healing power of God to flow through! For information on how you can help the town of Samson, contact Pastor Jack Chancey at 334-898-7699; or send an email to Pastor Jack at

Technorati Tags: revival, Samson Alabama, Samson outreach, New Life Worship Center, Pastors Jack and Kaye Chancey

I am writing again today to thank each of you who have responded to our call for prayer teams and workers  for our outreach to Samson Alabama this Saturday March 28th beginning at 9:30am Central Time.

To those of you who have committed to participate with us, we will gather at New Life Worship Center 206 Magnolia Street in Samson. After a time of worship and prayer, we will divide up into teams of at least two or more and disburse into the neighborhood. Those who want to only pray can participate in the prayer walk; others will go door to door simply offering prayer and encouragement to those affected by the tragedy of March 10, 2009 in which 10 people were killed, most of them in the very neighborhood of New Life Worship Center.

Thanks again for your response to this call! To everyone who has other commitments this Saturday, but have agreed to have a special time of prayer for Samson, the city of Geneva Alabama and the surrounding area, thank you!!!!!!  And thank you to our friends overseas who are a part of Revival Now Ministries and Revival International who are standing with us in prayer for this event.

The Kingdom of God is not about one church or denomination! When God’s people gather together of every race and denomination, God does something supernatural! Please stand with us on this day that this will be a type of Purim, the Feast of Esther’s time- a day in which God’s people will rise up, spoil and drive back the very enemies that have thought to steal, kill and destroy the citizens of this area!

If you would like more information on this outreach to Samson Alabama, email me at or contact Pastor Jack Chancey by email or contact the church at 334-898-9334.

Technorati Tags: revival, Samson Alabama, New Life Worship Center, Pastor Jack and Kaye Chancey, outreach in rural communities

We were also honored to have between 15-20 young men from Center of Hope join us for the services. This is a Teen Challenge type restoration ministry located in Oxford. The hunger and passion for Jesus in those young men are contagious!

With all the uncertainty in the world in this hour, one thing is certain: Jesu will touch people where ever He can find people who will position themselves to receive!

Let the fire fall!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, House of Prayer Church of God Oxford Alabama, revival in Alabama

Well, I prepared my heart too! If you are in driving distance of Oxford Alabama we would love to have you join us tonight at 7pm Central time or 10am and 6pm Sunday.

Technorati Tags: revival. revival update, Oxford Alabama, revival in Alabama, Holy Spirit outpouring

We begin services tonight in Oxford Alabama at the House of Prayer Church of God with Pastor Vance McCollum. Bro. Vance is a dear friend and fellow short term missionary who has traveled extensively to Vietnam as well as to Honduras. It’s been several years since we have been able to be in services together, so Pam and I are looking forward to this weekend’s meetings.

Pray for the fire to fall!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Oxford Alabama, Vance McCollum, Samson Alabama, House of Prayer Church of God, short term missions

You may have watched the news last week as the tragedy unfolded in Samson Alabama. A young man who everyone in town believed to be a good, stable person, shot and killed 10 people before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life. This all took place just a couple of doors down from New Life Worship Center.

Pam and I had the opportunity this week to travel to Samson and visit with our friends  Pastor Jack & Kay Chancey, Pastors at New Life Worship Center. I also attended the funeral of the mother  of the young man who did the shooting, and I can tell you the town needs our prayer in a big way!

With that in mind, we at conducting a Prayer Walk/Outreach in Samson Alabama Saturday March 28th beginning at 9:30am Central Time. We are inviting intercessors, evangelists, pastors, counselors and anyone who desires to participate to join us. We will begin with some worship and prayer at 9:30am and then walk the streets going door to door offering prayer and encouragement for the citizens of the neighborhood, as well as prayer walking the area. There is a spirit of depression, fear and disillusionment that is gripping the area that can only be dealt with by prayer and intercession. New Life Worship Center as well as several other churches in the area also need us to come along side them with this support.  If you would like to participate, please RSVP me by replying to this email. This will help us prepare for snacks that our ministry will be supplying.

I realize many receiving this email live in other parts of the US and many others are in other parts of the world. I am asking you to set aside some time on Saturday March 28th to pray for Samson Alabama. Pray for hearts to be open to the Lord as we reach out to them with the Gospel; also pray that the saints that take part in this outreach will have the sensitivity of the Spirit to break every stronghold the enemy has sent against this small Alabama community.

And again, if you would like to come and take part with us, please call me at 706-773-1546,  or email me at . Or you may call New Life Worship Center at 334-898-7699.

We love you all and appreciate your support of Revival Now Ministries and for visiting Revival Journal.

David Copeland

Technorati Tags: revival, outreach, Samson Alabama, New Life Worship Center Samson Alabama, prayer walk for Samson Alabama, Pastor Jack Chancey

I try to stay away from too much lighting rod discussions and focus more on seeing revival come to America. But I have to speak out on this subject becasue it is one very close to my heart. My marriage and ministry is a result of the restoration power of God!

I don’t want to air the whole story here, but in 1985 both me and my wife fell into sin; backslid on God and both committed adultery. But because of the grace of God and the prayers of the saints of God our marriage was restored, our family was restored..and after a period of setting on the pew and studying the Word and repenting in earnest in an altar of prayer (both in church and in the privacy of my home) and submitting to Godly authority, God restored my ministry. And all three have been greatly blessed since then!

I know I’m going to be attacked here but hear me out: GOD IS MORE INTERESTED IN OUR CHARACTER THAN HE IS OUR MINISTRY STATUS! I believe in the grace of God! But something has to change in the Pentecostal and Charismatic circles or God is going to send the most severest of judgements upon us!

God doesn’t restore some marriages because one or both parties do not want it to be restored!

I pray for Todd that God does restore him to truth and Biblical Holiness.

But my heart breaks for his ex-wife Shonnah and his three kids who are left behind to pick up the pieces of their family and the ministry in Canada while dad does his “thing”.

Oh Father, please forgive us for our lack of discernment, our lack of discerning of spirits and our unwillingness to stand against unscrupulous practices by leaders in our churches!

Father please send us a genuine souls searching and heart saving revival….soon!!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Todd Bentley, Lee Grady, Charisma Magazine, is revival needed in America, restoration of marriages, can God heal my marriage

We are all shocked to see the tragedy that has taken place in Samson Alabama as a gunman went on shooting rampage and now at least ten are dead including the shooter. The Samson killing spree began in the very neighborhood of New Life Worship Center where our friend Jack Chancey is pastor and ended in Geneva Alabama in the Wal-Mart parking lot. We have been phone tagging Pastor Jack to get a further update, but God is using him mightily to minister to the community so it’s been hard to reach him.
Our prayers are for the families affected by this event.

Technorati Tags: Samson Alabama

In the Sunday services at First Assembly in Rosenberg Texas, Living Water was flowing freely. At least two young men gave their lives to the Lord Jesus! Many others filled the altar in both services seeking the face of Jesus.

This morning I went to a pastor’s prayer meeting in which nine pastors from the city of Rosenberg are meeting weekly to pray for reconciliation among the races in this area, for an exposure to corruption in high places, and for revival to come! I saw that vision I had in 2002 coming to pass!

While the vision is not complete, all I could do is weep and thank the Lord that Jesus’ John 17 prayer is not a hoax! It is coming to pass before the coming of the Lord Jesus!
In fact, this is not only happening in the Houston Rosenberg area, it’s happening all over Houston…and it is coming to your city…soon!

USA Today had an article on the front page today titled “Almost All Denominations Losing Ground, Survey Says”. In this survey 15% of those interviewed expressed NO Religion as their “religion. Many have walked away from the church as a whole in America. Some are flying under the radar, choosing to worship in house churches, or many, no church at all. This is opening the door for experimenting with different idea and religious concepts…which I believe are opening us up for the next Great Awakening!

A Great Awakening happens when social change renders traditional religion (or the thesis in Hegel’s terminology) no longer able to answer the questions posed by contemporary life. A certain disconnect occurs between religion and the real world. New belief systems attempt to fill the gap, eventually leading to a full Great Awakening. (Wikipedia May 15, 2005)

The disconnect has occurred! May God pour out His Spirit in such a way that He wakes up the church first! But if she refuses to wake up, may people all over the world have their hearts opened to Jesus and know from first hand experience, HE IS ALIVE!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, is the church dead, revival in America, America, Christianity in America, USA Today, denominations, tribulation, anti-christ, Houston Texas, revival in Texas, revival in Houston Texas

If you are in the Houston area we would love to have you join us for services! Sunday 10:30am & 6pm; Monday and Tuesday at 7pm. First Assembly is located at at 2512 Ave N in Rosenberg. Phone 281-342-3805.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, revival in Texas, revival in Houston, Charles Parham, WJ Seymor, Azuza Street

This movement (this includes all of us of the Spirit filled Community) began in the fire of revival. This outpouring of the Holy Ghost shook the world in a way it hadn’t been shaken since Pentecost; this move of God’s Spirit that propelled missionaries to the four corners of the globe with signs and wonders that followed their work…a move of God’s Spirit that renewed the cry, “it’s not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God!!!

In my 20 years now as a Spirit Filled minister, I have seen wave after wave of God’s power move across the state of Alabama and across the United States; in youth camps and conventions, in outreaches and outpourings; in special revivals and Sunday services Alabama alone has seen some of the most powerful preachers and missionaries, youth pastors and churches explode with fresh outbreaks of the Spirit’s power..

But what I’m seeing now is far different from the movement I joined some 20 years ago!

Please understand my heart: I love the Full Gospel/Pentecostal/Charismatic movement! But the question I keep wrestling with is this: Knowing we were born in the fire of revival, why do we think we can now be made perfect by the flesh?

Before you write me off as a lunatic who simply wants to go back to “the good ole’ days” please understand: I have Twitter! I’m on Facebook, I have a MySpace page! I have a website and a blog that is just about more than I can keep up with! We have a radio program that airs on seven stations across the US, I do TV and we’re even looking into the possibility of creating our own Internet TV channel to air revival services from all across the country! We stream services live on Revival Now TV through Ustream in those areas that have High Speed Internet access!

We must use every tool and every means of technology available to us because I’m convinced we ARE the generation that can see the Great Commission fulfilled in our life time!

But have we gained so much recognition from “the movers and shakers” in American Christianity that believe the gifts of the Spirit have ceased to be; we think we no longer need the power of the Holy Spirit to invade our services? Folks, we need the Holy Spirit to awaken us to the fact we may be good, but we are still not good enough! Quite a number of places Pam and I go to in the US are really wretched, miserable, blind and naked…and glad of it!

Has Christian TV created such a false idea of Spirit filled living and preaching and worship we are willing to reject and renounce the spontaneity of the moving of the Holy Spirit from our churches and services?

I am not saying we shouldn’t be relevant! The Holy Ghost always has been and always will be relevant! I’m not saying we should go back to slatted pews, hacking and spitting preachers and brush arbors with no central heat and air conditioning!

But is there a generation of leaders who so want to be validated by their peers they are willing to pervert the Gospel to fill a building? Is there a generation of leaders who really are convinced what was begun in the Spirit can now be made perfect by the flesh?

I know I’m going to get an email saying I am against big churches; I AM NOT AGAINST BIG CHURCHES! I am not against preachers who use the tools available to us to engage the culture, illustrate a message, and attempt to draw in a generation of young people who were raised in homes that totally rejected the Gospel and the influence of the church.

Is what was begun in the fire of the Spirit now made perfect by the flesh? I also know those who oppose the new thing God does are usually the one’s who were involved in the last thing God did!

I just want GOD to be doing it and not a slick marketing campaign that is smoke and mirrors and never brings people face to face with the eternal question: “If you we to die tonight, do you know for certain you would be welcomed into God’s heaven!” The call of the evangelist on my life compels me to bring people to a clear cut decision with the question: is Jesus the Lord and Master of your life!

This has all created a vacuum that has allowed mankind to substitute a relationship with Jesus Christ with other “gods”, or other belief systems. People will talk about “god” all day long with you. But which god? The god of ideas and cult rock star political personalities? The god of career? The god of having my “needs” met? The god of popularity and prestige? The god of political correctness? Or the God who created the heaven and the earth, and sent His Son Jesus to die for your salvation!

This vacuum will continue to be successful for a time. But a shift is coming that will reveal we have not been what we thought we have been! And people will once again cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy and grace! That cry will lead us into the next Great Awakening!

Because the next thing God does is always greater than the last thing God did!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Christianity, Holy Spirit outpouring, Great Awakening, shift

Stop by a visit and take a listen to some of the messages they have posted!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in Texas, New Life Beginnings Church Pattison Texas, Pastor Brad Morgan, revival in Katy Texas

But the weekend is not a total loss! 29 years ago this weekend I walked down the aisle and took Pam Doss as my bride! And I can honestly say I am more in love with this woman that I was 29 years ago! She’s my best friend and the best friend this ministry has!

For all our friends in the East Alabama area, services will resume Monday night at 7pm eastern time at Calvary Tabernacle in Smiths Alabama. For information contact Pastor Norman Garrison at 334-291-1191.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Calvary Tabernacle, revival in Alabama

What a wonderful weekend we experienced at Evangel Temple in Lanett Alabama! The power of God hovered over each service and the altar was filled each night with hungry hearts seeking HIS face! It was such a joy to be able to minister in the church in which Pam and I served for over 14 1/2 years. Our girls were raised there; they were baptized in water there; our oldest daughter and son in law was married there; but most of all, the same anointing we experienced when we pastored there is still there moving among His people!

I was doing some research and found the name Alabama is a Choctow Indian name that means to cut a thicket. There is an apostolic anointing on the entire state of Alabama! God used Alabama to bring to focus the need for change in Civil Rights back in the 60’s; and I am convinced God wants to use Alabama in paving the way for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the 21st Century!

Lord, let the fire fall!!!!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, Evangel Temple Lanett Alabama, revival in Alabama

 Dear Friends,

Hope all is well with all of our friends and partners as we speedily progress in to 2009! It’s hard to believe we are now coming to the end of the 2nd month of the year!

I just returned from Guyana South America where for the first time in over a year were honored to minister among the Amerindians in the Northwest region. Scores of young people walked the isle and gave their lives to Jesus, and many others were baptized in the Holy Spirit; and on Wednesday in the village of Wauna we were able to baptize 12 people (many of them teenagers) in water! To God be the Glory!

God has been giving us some changes in direction for Guyana for the last several months. While we will continue to take trips there, we won’t be traveling to Guyana as much as we have been the last 7 years. For the next season (God knows how long that will be) we are going to bring a greater focus to the nation of Kenya. Doors are so wide open there for ministry for us, it is physically impossible for us to meet or fulfill every invitation! Almost every day (no exaggeration) I get an email from a pastor or church group pleading for us to work their church in our schedule when we go to Kenya. It’s SO nice to be wanted! We are sensing could be our “Macedonian call” for this hour! Please pray God will give us firm direction as we labor among the people groups in both these countries; time is short! Mine and Pam’s desire is to stay in the center of our assignment, where ever and to whomever that will be!

This weekend we are honored to be ministering at the church we launched into traveling ministry from; Evangel Temple in Lanett, Alabama. We hope to be able to stream the services live all weekend. Go to http://ustream.tv/channel/revival-now-tv.

We love you all and thank you for your prayers and continued financial support!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, revival in Alabama, Evangel Temple Lanett Alabama, Allen Robinson, Guyana South America, Amerindians in Guyana, Kenya East Africa

I’m a consumer.
So. You want me in your church. Here’s how to get me.
1. Parking. I need lots of space for my big SUV. And it better be close to the doors. Don’t want to do much walking. So if it isn’t – how about a shuttle.
2. Nice Building. This is important. I’m not interested in some strip mall church that looks like it’s struggling. Or an old traditional church – unless you’ve done millions in renos. I’m an upwardly model semi-professional. I want my surroundings to reflect my importance.
3. Proper HVAC. This isn’t important. It’s critical. I want to be cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cool. 68ºF to 72ºF – year round. Is that too much to ask.
4. Comfy chairs. And when I say chairs, I mean chairs. Preferably theater-style. With wide arm rests. Give me some space for my girth – and safe distance from the other arriving consumers.
5. Be punctual. I’ve already spent too much time getting me and the family ready and there for the meeting. Begin it on time. Have something cool playing on the big screens to entertain if we arrive a little early.
6. You’ve got an hour. Make good use of it. I want to be in and out in no more than 75 minutes. Maybe a few more if you’re serving decent coffee. Decent coffee that’s free, of course.
7. Music. Three songs up front. One fast (to get us going). One mid-tempo (to help us be reflective). End with a fast one (that tells us how much Jesus/God/the Spirit loves us – just no Jesus-Is-My-Boyfriend songs. OK!)
8. Announcements. Get them over after the music. Present them on your big screens so they can be done quickly. This isn’t a time to stick your B-team on the platform to give them some face time. And, unless Larry David is writing for you, avoid humor. Have the Final Cut folk edit your marketing stuff down to 15 second bites. If it works for Sony, it’ll work for you.
9. Offering. Now. It’s up to you where you put it. If the preacher is great, after the sermon might work better. If not. Go for the money after the announcements. (Maybe show some shots of starving third world kids in the last announcement. Heart-string-tugs work for Compassion and World Vision – why not your church.) “God loves a cheerful giver” and the Malachi 3 verses and the 100 fold blessing are important reminders. A good story of how tithing worked for someone would be great. No more than 90 seconds though.
10. Sermon. Twenty minutes. Did I make myself clear. 20 Minutes. 20. Twenty. We have the attention spans of gnats. Keep that in mind. Make it practical. If I wanted systematic theology, I would have gone to seminary. Use humor. Steal from the best if necessary. I want to leave feeling built up. And it’s a bonus if I can use the jokes/stories you told at work tomorrow.
11. Final song. Let the band rip on the last song. Feel good, happy-clappy works here. You want us wanting to come back for more next week.
12. Benediction segue. Let the band lay back and under as you Bless Us. Speak multiplied blessings over us – and then do a fast pitch for whatever product you need to sell. I did say. Fast pitch.
13. And then the band amps back up. This is the place for guitar or sax solos as we head out the doors to the shuttle bus or book store or free coffee. It’s okay to charge us something extra for Lattés.
Like I said. I’m a consumer. Oh. And a sort of a Christian. If you build this, I will come.
Or so you’ve been told.

God have mercy on us! Sad to say, this is exactly where a number of churches are in America! I absolutely believe in being relevant and redeeming the culture and using every tool at our disposal to communicate the Gospel in the language of the day! But in the effort to become socially acceptable by and to the masses, did we get what we wanted…but did we lose what we had?

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, consumer Christianity, is revival needed today, compromise in the church

Last year we were in one revival service that you absolutely knew God was bringing conviction to sinners and drawing saints to move closer to Him! But many in this particular service were either oblivious to what the Spirit was doing, or totally disinterested in allowing Him to do it!

John 6: 43, 44 give us some insight:
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.  (44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

I understand for many different reasons, some in any particular service may, or may not sense the Holy Spirit tugging at their hearts (both sinners and saints alike). But there are times in which the Holy Spirit is dealing with people so strongly that you know people are on dangerous ground to reject His dealing at that particular moment! If any have an ear to hear, let him (or her) hear!

So how can people resist the wooing…the drawing and conviction of the Holy Spirit? People do it every week by resisting His dealings with us! You do not wake up one morning and decide “…I think I will resist and reject God’s dealing with me today!” No, it happens over a period of time…He deals with you to repent and you resist or make excuse…he deals with you again, and you resist…then after awhile, your heart gets so hard, you can be in the middle of the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit the world has seen, and not feel a thing!

I am not preaching emotionalism nor am I hung up on a feeling; but when the Holy Ghost brings conviction into your life, YOU WILL FEEL IT!

There are a couple of reasons the Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus:

1. He is drawing us to awaken us! There is a distinct drawing of the Holy Spirit that IS increasing, and He is doing this to wake up a church that has gone to sleep in the success and prosperity she has enjoyed the last 40 years! He is setting us up for the next Great Awakening!

2. He is drawing us because He wants to dwell with us! Psalms 65:4: Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple.

3. He is drawing us because He wants to keep us from calamity! Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

But the real question that burns in my heart today as I type this is: “If God’s people won’t respond to Him when He draws us, what makes us think the world will respond when He draws them?” Could it be we are doing so much that is right in our own eyes, that we don’t want to be  bothered with the Holy Spirit convicting us and showing us we are not where we need to be with Him?

Father, I pray right now that we will not harden our hearts to your dealings and your conviction! Our response to your conviction releases the comfort so many people need in this hour! WE open our hearts! WE open our lives to you and we say with one voice, do in us what needs to be done so Your Glory can cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!

Ministry Update

February 1st the Revival Today radio broadcast began airing on seven stations across the U.S. Please pray that God will use the programs to ignite the fires of revival across the country! It’s only a fifteen minute/once a week time slot; but we believe God will use it to touch hearts! The following is a list of stations Revival Today is aired on:

KLNG Omaha Nebraska          KWDF Alexandria, Louisiana
WCPC Tupelo, Mississippi      WITK Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
KCNW Kansas City, Kansas     KXKS Albuquerque, New Mexico
WFAM Augusta, Georgia

Thank you to all our partners for your continued prayers and financial support! We never take anything or anyone for granted and know you could plant your seed anywhere; thank you for believing we are good soil and for listening to God’s voice in you’re giving to Revival Now Ministries!

Blessings,    
David & Pam

Several churches gave an extra gift to help defray the costs of the trip. I want to publically say thank you! the Amerindians thank you! And one day heaven will thank you!

The spirit of revival prevailed in every service. In spite of the economic turmoil, God is doing a fresh work among people in every nation! Lord Jesus, send the fire to the U.S.!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival in Guyana, Amerindians in Guyana, Holy Spirit outpouring

Mat 22:35  Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying,
Mat 22:36  Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law?
Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

What a powerful word! I’ve found out if I get the first one right, the second on comes easy!

When you fall in love with Jesus, He makes it easy to love your neighbor as yourself!

I believe in there is a baptism in and with the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance; I also believe there is a baptism of fire that comes from the Holy Spirit that is evidenced in a life that is passionately sold out to Jesus and to the Gospel!

But in this season of difficulty and uncertainty, may He give us a fresh baptism of love! Because love covers a multitude of sins!

I will be in Guyana South America next week ministering to the Amerindians. Pray for a mighty harvest as well as Holy Spirit encouragement to be released!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, greatest commandment, baptism of love

We were able to stream the services live on UStream, and they are archived on our revivalnow.org website. We have Saturday night and both Sunday services for you to view; you can do that by clicking the link http://revivalnow.org/media .

Today is a travel day then off to Guyana on Thursday for our first ministry trip to the Amerindians in almost a year. please pray for a great harvest, but especially pray for God to use us to bring encouragement to the pastors and churches we visit.

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit outpouring, New Life Worship Center Samson Alabama, Pastor Jack Chancey, Pastor Kay Chancey,  revival in Alabama

It ended us as simply a worship service…the sweet presence of the Lord flowed like honey all over the congregation! At least one person gave their life to Jesus…the love of God flowed so thick your just knew He was drawing His people to Himself!

Hopefully we’ll get both Sunday services archived also.

Be Blessed! And allow Him to draw you to Himself!

Technorati Tags: revival, revival update, Holy Spirit Outpouring, New Life Worship Center Samson Alabama, Pastor Jack Chancey, revival in Alabama