Understanding the blessedness of a revival by Pst Joseph Ajibade
Your life will never make meaning as a Christian without power from on high. In Luke 4:14, the bible says Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit and because of that, fame became his portion, his life made meaning. This is the reason he asked his disciples in Luke 24:49, to wait in Jerusalem, until they receive power. Behind every exploit, greatness in scripture and prominence in God’s kingdom is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which confers power (Acts 2:47, 4:4, 6:7, 13:44). Without the unction of the Holy Spirit, one will go nowhere as a believer. So it is important to recognize and flow in any revival because missing it is missing out on power, blessing, a change of name, change of status and change of story.
What is a revival?
- A revival is a move of the spirit that stirs the spirits and hearts of men, to commit themselves to Kingdom advancement endeavours. No matter how long you have been in church, if you do nothing in God’s kingdom, you will get nothing. So be a part of advancing God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33, Ezra 4:-2, 24, Haggai 1:14).
You can engage in Kingdom Advancement Work physically in the house of God (Haggai 1:5-14, 2:3-9, 2nd Chronicles 15:7, 13-15). When you take care of God’s matter, he takes care of you (Matthew 6:33). You can also engage in turning many to righeousness.
Have a dream and a plan of how you want to impact the Kingdom, and follow it through. Without a dream of greater works in God’s kingdom, you cannot be great.
- A revival is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, aimed at destroying all frustrations and afflictions of God’s people, thus making them enviable to their world (Habakkuk 3:2-6, 17-19). The church of the last days is ordained to be an exalted church, not a frustrated one (Revelations 5:10). Revival puts believers in dominion over the challenges of life (Psalms 110:3, Jeremiah 31:34, Acts 19:20).
How to Know A Revival
- Being in and around the church becomes a way of life. Psalms 122:1 says, “I was glad when said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” So you cannot say you are in a revival if the house of God does not excite you. (Acts 5:42). Remember, we must not forsake the gathering of brethren!
- The word of God continues to come alive in one’s heart in increasing dimensions. Allow the word of God move you to dare things you have not dared before. Answer the call of God with dignity (Jeremiah 31:34, Matthew 5:13-16, Deuteronomy 28:13). Revival time is a time of word feast. During a revival, certain things that were incomprehensible become clearer as one begins to catch strange depths and revelations in the word of God (Acts 19). God keeps opening the eyes of his people to behold wondrous things that eventually turn them to signs and wonders.
Benefits of a Revival
- Financial fortune is unleashed upon every engaging believer in a revival: During revival, God releases financial fortune upon his people, to enable the Kingdom grow. Zechariah 1:17 teaches us that prosperity is a veritable tool in spreading the kingdom, and as such, God entrusts divine wealth only to those he can trust to use it for the promotion of his work. So, as long as you keep engaging in Kingdom advancement endeavours, God will keep blessing you financially. You may not look like it now but so long as it is in your heart, soon enough, God will put it in your hands.
- Divine health is the lot of every engaging believer: One of the major benefits of engaging in Kingdom activities, as outlined in Exodus 23:25, is divine health. That scripture specially says, “I will take sickness away from the midst of thee…” Everyone involved in God’s service is entitled to divine health, as Jesus, speaking proverbially in John 15:2, makes us understand. So when you are in a revival, you cannot be sick or weak, but strong and healthy, with guaranteed longevity, as highlighted by Exodus 23:26.
- You are empowered to command the supernatural. When you are in a revival you think supernaturally. Revival terminates mediocrity in the life of the believer (Isaiah 8:8).
Breaking Invisible Barriers
Invisible barriers are satanic forces which limit and resist the advancement and progress of God’s people, putting them on a particular level in life (1st Thessalonians 2:18, Zechariah 1:18-21). Invisible barriers are real and there are two forces which back them up.
The first force is Spiritual Ignorance. This is having little or no knowledge about spiritual matters. It can also mean an unwillingness to accept some spiritual truths. This makes it difficult for a person to confront and conquer spiritual issues.
The other one is the force of Demonic Installations. This was mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 13:26-28, when he talked about tares growing in the midst of the fruit. In that illustration, The Master calls the tares the work of an enemy. Truly, the enemy puts barriers on the path of believers.
How to break invisible barriers
- Be born again (Ephesians 2:5-6).
- Be illuminated by the word of God. When you are illuminated by God, darkness is humiliated in your life. The dominion of light over darkness is instant and incontestable.
- Be a lover of God and his kingdom (Romans 8:31).
- Confront the barrier to give way, bearing in mind that, as 1st John 4:4 says, the one in you is greater than any enemy. In confronting your barriers, make good use of your mouth (Psalm 81:10, Mark 11:23)
- Fast and pray regularly (Matthew 17:20-21).
