REFLECTION, REPENTANCE, AND REVIVAL

The US Senate has declared October 14 to be a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. His assassination rocked the nation, and has stirred the church. There is much soul-searchIng and abundant sharing of the Gospel. From all reports many who have never been in a church or read a Bible are doing so for the first time. Others who had drifted away from faith are coming back home. So, we will have a time for relection, repentance, and seeking revival as we gather in Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska, October 14, beginning at 7 PM.

It is a day of opportunity. Is this the beginning of a spiritual awakening?

We cannot say. It has yet to be seen. What we believe God has put on our heart is to have a time of reflection—not so much about Charlie but much about Christ—His Gospel with its life-changing message. We are to remember from “where we have fallen,” and how we have, “left our first love,” as Jesus charged the church at Ephesus, (Rev. 2:4-5). We will have a discussion forum to address some of the concerns and questions that have risen from this tragedy.

Christ’s call to the Ephesians and to our churches is, “repent,” (v. 5). We will be confronted by the Word and called to confess our sins during seasons of prayer that night. We can bemoan the sad spiritual state of America, but until Christians look into the mirror of God’s Word and repent, nothing will change. How quick we are to condemn the culture without confessing our own corruption!

Revival starts with us. We cannot organize it, but we can agonize for it. Spiritual awakening is a Divine intervention, but God calls us to earnest intercession if He would stir us. As has been said, “We cannot make the wind blow, but we can set our sails.” Perhaps God is unleashing the mighty rushing Wind of His Spirit, and if so, may our sails be set and the church ready to sail in faith and obedience!

In closing, let me say that this meeting is not political, but spiritual. Yet, if there is another Great Awakening then it will impact every strata of society.

We will need money and volunteers to see this happen. We have stepped out in faith and are trusting this is of God—in which case He will supply our needs. Now, would you pray personally before we pray corporately—seeking God to touch your heart and work in your local church, then we will assemble in hope that a country shaking, culture shifting, church sanctifying move of God will be the answer to our prayers!

Yours for Revival,

Dennis Thurman, AMS