From the desk of Steve Shultz:
This article from Joni Ames is full of prophetic nuggets for everyone. And let me just say...we are ALL called to SPREAD THE GOSPEL.
As we approach the summer months, this is a very timely word for the Church Body as Joni shares this from her opening paragraph:
Recently the Ringling Bros. Circus announced that it will soon shut down. I got excited in my spirit because the Lord had showed me years ago that those tents would be used for revivals in the coming days. Many souls would come in and the revival would contain a restoration of healing like what happened with Oral Roberts and other great healing ministries of days gone by, but yet a new thing – a massive and great new revival. Signs, wonders, and miracles for a new generation that hasn't yet seen such things. I called several revivalist friends and told them to call and see how those tents may be obtained. We are about take part in the greatest adventure of our lifetime!
I will close and echo that...
We are about take part in the greatest adventure of our lifetime! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List
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"Revival: Get Ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime!"
Joni Ames, Rock Hill, SC
Recently the Ringling Bros. Circus announced that it will soon shut down. I got excited in my spirit because the Lord had showed me years ago that those tents would be used for revivals in the coming days. Many souls would come in and the revival would contain a restoration of healing like what happened with Oral Roberts and other great healing ministries of days gone by, but yet a new thing – a massive and great new revival. Signs, wonders, and miracles for a new generation that hasn't yet seen such things. I called several revivalist friends and told them to call and see how those tents may be obtained. We are about take part in the greatest adventure of our lifetime!
"May God revive (bring back to life) all the creativity that He put in you as He revives and brings back to life your heart, mind, and spirit. What an adventure you have ahead of you as that happens!"
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The word revive means "to restore life, consciousness, or strength." It can also mean to "return something to its former state." The Church often cries out for revival, but what is really wanted? I believe what's wanted is for the Church to be revived and restored to holiness and to God as Father; to be revived and restored to the purpose, call and destiny that He called the Church to walk in – before time even began.
Restored to Our First Love
When you think back to the time when you were first saved, it often brings memories of excitement, vigor, joy, and great hope. Sometimes throughout the years, the "shine" of that time can begin to get dull. Years of hope deferred can make the heart sick. The value of attending church, being involved, and enjoying yourself in doing that can even become like drudgery.
What would restore to you that feeling of first love that you had back when you were originally saved?
Can we have it (or even greater joy) now that we are walking in greater fullness as a Christian? Very often, just as in a natural relationship, expectations unfulfilled can cause you to lose heart.
Yet, there is a reality of what God has done in your life that goes beyond feelings. Being revived in one's inner man goes far beyond hype and laughter. As you mature, a stable "knowing" of God's goodness in your spirit takes over. There is a seriousness that comes into play as a more mature Christian that has a level-headed understanding of His love, grace, and mercy.
It's understanding that life is about growing up and learning to "hold on" even when you don't feel like it. It's not about just enjoying the hype of having something new and "exciting" going on. It's about an eternal adventure yet ahead.
Reviving the "Basics"
Perhaps the greatest revival the world needs right now is a dose of true common sense, a good work ethic, the ability to "be only strong and very courageous" and press on even if they don't "feel like it." Maybe even a dose of good manners. The Word of God commands to be
only strong and very courageous (see Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:9). It says that overcomers will inherit the Kingdom (see Revelation 21:7).
(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
I've also witnessed what I call "a sloppy grace teaching" out there that tries to say that God understands people are human and what Jesus did on the Cross covers all sin for all time. So even if we sin again, it's covered, so go do it. In other words, what Jesus did bought us the grace to sin. However, the Word of God clearly denies that. It tells us that when we willfully continue to sin, we trample the Blood of Jesus (see Romans 7). Additionally with that type of attitude, a person can heal, prophesy, and cast out demons in Jesus' name, but still end up having Jesus Himself say, "...I never knew you. Away from Me you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:23)
All of that said, the revival we need might need to begin with a revival of mindsets, a revival of proper teaching of God's Word, and a revival of healthy mentality.
Spreading the Gospel Over All the Earth
Lately, there is so much time spent on cell phones and iPads. The good news is that the Bible is still the best-selling book on the planet! Did you know that? It is said the Bible is one of the popular phone apps college students are downloading as well. Praise God! Now let's teach them how to access what they need to know in it. As well as how to spread that Good News to others.
The computer age has made it such that the Great Commission allows each and every person the opportunity to spread the Gospel to all ends of the earth. Anyone who wants to can get online and begin to do a blog, newsletter, or website to spread the Word of God and start revival.
God said His Gospel will be spread to the entire earth before Jesus returns, and the internet is truly one of the "nets" that He is using to catch fish, bring revival and reel in the harvest.
You don't have to have a PhD, ordination, or anything else. Just know Jesus, and there you go! If God could use a little rundown storefront on Azusa Street, know that He can and will use you and your testimony and the internet to catch many fish.
Use Your Creative and Artistic Gifts
He will even use your artistic gifts. As you get out there and show others what God gives you, it will spur on other skilled artisans to come forth in the beauty of the skill He has placed within them as well. Post your songs, dances, paintings, drawings, photos of pottery, designs of clothing, hair styles, or whatever skilled artistry God has given to you. Use it, along with your testimony, to reach those of like-mind and skill. You are the one who can reach, with authority, the ones in the category that you also occupy.
"I believe what's wanted is for the Church to be revived and restored to holiness and to God as Father; to be revived and restored to the purpose, call and destiny that He called the Church to walk in – before time even began."
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Don't get me wrong, we can all reach everyone, but there is nothing like hearing from or seeing someone who has either been through a "similar situation as you" or has a similar mindset or skill as you. Use it for the Lord! This is how we empower one another to overcome! The Bible says we overcome satan by the Blood of the Lamb and word of our testimonies (see Revelation 12:11).
So you see, even if you have felt different or strange, you were born to be "different" so that you could reach others who are also "different." It's part of your gifting. You were not born to hide. Like Dr. Seuss says, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" As you "stand out" you will do outstanding things in the Kingdom and bring in many.
May God revive (bring back to life) all the creativity that He put in you as He revives and brings back to life your heart, mind, and spirit. What an adventure you have ahead of you as that happens!
Make the Church Great Again
Much has been said about Donald Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America great again." Well, the way to make America great again is to make the Church in America great again. Revive it. Restore it. Breathe life into it. Bring it back to being a living, breathing, full functioning organ again.
One way to make the Church in America great again is to bring the
Holy Bible back into it instead of political correctness. Unashamedly preach and teach it and let people know what sin is and how to defend one's self against it, as well as how to get out of its snare if entrapped in it. Holiness isn't a religious-spirited thing. Holy is the first name of
Holy Spirit.
(Photo via Flickr)
If we want revival and restoration, we must have an understanding of what is profane and what is holy. There must be a restoration of the plumb-line of holiness so that we know what our proper boundary lines are. No blurry lines. Clear Blood of Jesus lines.
Jesus died to save and protect us from sin. He didn't die and get raised again to raise sin up as an example of who and what we should be or follow. May God truly revive and bring back to life a holy and spotless Church for a holy and spotless Bride to be joined to Her King.
Get ready! We are about to witness and be a part of the greatest adventure of our lifetime! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List
go here.)
Love and blessings,
Joni Ames is an itinerant prophetic minister, writer, teacher, encourager, mentor, mother and grandma. Joni has taught in churches of many varied denominations including: conferences, government offices, Christian businesses, Women's Aglow groups, Full Gospel Businessmen groups, house groups, prisons, and wherever the Lord leads. Joni believes that the Lord wants to encourage and activate the Laborers as we continue to move into the harvest and does share specific types of teachings (activating others in personal prophetic ministry, intercession, etc.). Joni believes that the job of the five-fold ministry is "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry," (Eph. 4:11) and that "...the whole Body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Eph. 4:16)
