September 22, 2009
Northland’s annual Revival meetings are taking place this week, led by Pastor Craig Scott of Woodside Baptist Church in Aurora, Colorado. The theme for this school year and for the Revival week is “the Word-filled, Spirit-filled life.” Pastor Scott was asked to share his burden for this week and his view on revival. Pray with us that we will see true revival taking place in the lives of individuals and in the faculty, staff, and student body as a whole.
Pastor Scott writes:
I am praying that there will be a renewed sense of obedience to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God—revival!
The word revival carries with it the sense of obedience to truths we have already known. When revival comes, there is a fresh sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. There is a willingness to place oneself under the authority of the Word. There is a spontaneous and purposeful obedience to the promptings of the Spirit and the Word of God.
Revival manifests itself in many ways. Sometimes, there is an outward brokenness. It is seen by weeping and the clearing of the conscience. Sometimes, it is an inward resolve to obey the Spirit and the Word. One thing is always prominent in revival—repentance. A change of heart and mind. An about face from the world to Christ. An about face from unbelief to Christ. A sorrow over sin.
In the message on Monday night, I put a biblical spotlight on the Holy Spirit. The challenge was to learn to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. On Tuesday morning, the emphasis was on the importance of the Word of God. My commitment is to place myself under the authority of the Word. Tuesday evening’s message will emphasize being obedient to the Spirit and the Word.
We all need to ask ourselves, “Am I at the place in my spiritual walk where I am obedient to the Spirit and the Word? Do I need revival?” I surely don’t want to be at the place where, like the church of Laodicea, I am in need of nothing—a good definition of lukewarmness (Rev. 3:18).