A Move of God is Coming – be prepared my people says God.

Three years ago in November 2010 I was on the operating table in a Brighton Hospital undergoing a seven hour surgery to remove part of my Oesophagus because of cancer. I am alive today because of the skill of the surgeons and also most especially because of the prayers of God`s people. God brought healing to me that day. Three days after my diagnosis earlier in the year, God spoke to me and said I would have a platform in the nations. This is proving to be, having gone on mission to Uganda and Kenya in 2012 and Kenya in 2013. What of future missions? Well that is, as it always has been, in God`s hands. Living by this motto `Saved, Healed and Alive for a Purpose` I am by God`s grace going to fulfil my destiny. This single event in my life has radically changed my whole outlook.

For most of my Christian life I have prayed and longed for an awakening to come again to these shores. Having read of previous awakenings my heart ached for God to do it again. Those early years were punctuated by nights of prayer and much longing for the day to arrive. Thinking back to those days I know I had no clear idea of what I was expecting. I believe I have a clearer view but I am prepared for God to bowl me a googly none the less.

Many in these days are looking forward to a great awakening such as the world has not seen before. Descriptive words like `tsunami` or ` great wave` are used. The question is asked are you in the river? With many other descriptive words or phrases being used we must remember a great awakening is a sovereign act of God and as such will break out when and where God desires amongst a prepared people of God. God will use who he wants to. In times past God has used certain individuals but this time many believe the coming awakening will be characterised where God will take hold of thousands and thousands of individuals, in a sense unknown nobodies. These nameless ones are being prepared now by God and will explode onto the scene in unspectacular fashion with neighbours and friends being drawn to them in their homes or workplaces. Many encounters with God will occur in shops, buses or trains. In fact wherever people are and especially God`s people, encounters with the living God will happen time and time again. Many will come to Christ over a cup of coffee in such diverse places. A characteristic of previous awakenings could be we will see many people drawn into church premises not really knowing why they have this unexpected urge to come to the house of God. Are we ready? Are you ready? How are you going to behave? What will you do? Are you available to God? God will want to use you for His kingdom.

God is preparing His church today. I believe in many churches it will be the older more mature Christians who will teach the younger ones the Word of God. It is evident that many need to be better equipped to handle the massive influx of new Christians. These new baby Christians will have so many questions to ask, that at times it will be overwhelming. One person can mentor only a handful, so mature Christian you are much needed in the kingdom at this time. You are not over the hill and certainly not to be ignored. Leaders, pastors and teachers hear this and encourage your mature people to prepare more and more in these days to lead small groups of younger Christians so when the wave hits you will not be overwhelmed and neither will they. Christian with all your energy you will, if you are up for it, be thrust into ministry and be used by God in probably quite spectacular ways. Just keep your eyes on Him and listen to Holy Spirit and do what He wants or you could be thrust aside because you will get in the way of what God is doing. Remember every Revival and Awakening is a sovereign act of God usually after a period of great decline in the spiritual life of a nation. It is usually triggered by a period of intense prayer with many Christians praying a lifetime and some not seeing their prayers fully answered before being called home. Sobering thoughts, but let us encourage one another in our walk with God. Let us talk of our hope in God. Let us strengthen each other and by so doing demonstrate our love for each other, to our families, friends and also to our communities.

I believe what we are seeing in the church today is phase one of an awakening; revival of the church. This in itself will bring many challenges with many finding it hard to cope with the sweeping aside of so much they felt secure in (traditions). Revival will bring massive change and so be prepared for severe criticism from others in the church, some of whom will be extremely vocal. Their scathing comments could paralyse you in your ministry, do not listen to them. That is what the enemy of your soul wants. I believe many backsliders will return to walking with God thus bringing something of a revolution to the church.

The awakening that will follow some time later will usher thousands into the kingdom. Such an event will definitely catch the eye of the media. Some reports will be good but many will be biased and deliberately edited to shed a poor light on what is happening. Be prepared, it won`t all be pretty. Not all will be Biblical. Some leaders will be doing unwise stuff. Don`t be critical. Flow with Holy Spirit and found as many baby Christians on the solid rock of the Word of God as you can. Allow God to do it His way, endeavouring at all times to listen to Holy Spirit as He will be talking to you constantly.

Some of you will be used in healing, some will become powerful evangelists and yet many others will become strong and well founded teachers of the word. Still others will find their administrative skills will be fully tested in ensuring leaders, preachers, worship leaders are not overstressed by constantly being `on duty` No prize is given for burning out. Remember the human body can only operate for short periods at high energy output. You need rest. The temptation to carry on 7 days a week for weeks at a time is a bad idea. I believe an awakening could come to a premature end simply because leaders have gone on too long and are worn out. Bad decisions follow and managing the revival starts the premature decline. Simply put we get in the way of what God is doing. Leader you are not indispensable. Take time out, delegate to others from the word go. Normal things of life must also continue in parallel with what is going on in your church, in the meetings in your homes or in the local pub or wherever you are having your `revival meetings`. Co- operate with God, flow in Him and you will be surprised by what He will do through you and in you. Give that privilege to others by stepping aside and taking a break for the sake of your physical and mental health. You won`t miss out. You will be blessed indeed even to the point you will be saying in yourself Lord I am not sure I can contain much more of your blessing it is so wonderful.

Another important comment is worth noting here. The awakening was ushered in on a wave of prayer, have prayer continue. Of course many will want to be in as many `revival meetings` as possible but there are only so many meetings you can attend before you realise that other equally important matters need to be addressed such as keeping your marriage sweet or caring for your children. The principle of God first, Family second and Church last should not be suspended because in His infinite wisdom God has decided to start an awakening. Hear me in this if you want this revival and awakening to continue for a significant time then attend to all prayer and personal relationship with God and your family. God does not need a one man band. He wants us all to take our place and be at His disposal, able to be used by Him as we surrender our will to His will.

David Weaver December 2013. Sussex

Questions:-

Do you have structures in place to sustain a revival

Do you have prepared people in place to preach, teach, pray etc.

I repeat – Pastors are needed in your church – Do you have them prepared and ready