WHAT DO RAIN AND REVIVAL HAVE IN COMMON?

It's Friday night, January 22nd, 2010. We've been experiencing rain and snowfall (yes, I said snowfall) in Arizona pretty much all week long. I should clarify that the snowfall in Arizona takes place in the northern part of our great State. The city of Flagstaff in particular.

The snow and rain we've been receiving is part of a storm that hit my home State of California first and has now moved into the southwest. As a result of all of this rain and snow we've had street closures, flash floods, school closures, highways and interstates shut down, car accidents and the like. But we've also had a refreshing and oh so necessary rush of water drench our State. You will remember that Arizona is located in a desert. I live in a desert place. A place that is not known for it's water, instead we're known for our intense, dry heat. 100+ degree days. But now, in the month of January, the first month of the year our LORD has given us water. He has drenched us with dew. He has saturated and soaked us with water. And we really, really need it in this desert place.

As I think about the rain we've been blessed with, I can't help but also think about the revival that is coming to our church in just a few short days... LORD willing. Like the land that I live in, this desert place- many people who live here are also dry. That is to say many of us are dry spiritually. We're 'parched' if you please. We're in need of some rain. But I don't mean water rain. I mean a righteous rain from heaven. Not droplets from clouds, no, I'm talking about the dew that comes down from The Divine God. We need a revival.

But hold it. Not only are some people in Arizona dry and in need of revival, look around our nation and our world. People all over the globe share our need. The economy is crazy. World leaders are fighting. People around the world are starving. Many folks are out of work. And on and on it goes. We need a revival.

I'm looking forward to Sunday, January 31st when our revival kicks off in earnest. We have two great preachers in our guest lecturer, Rev., Dr. Emil M. Thomas, pastor of Destiny Church in Baltimore, Maryland; and our guest evangelist, Rev. Louis B. Jones II, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. I have no doubt that our God is able to speak to us in clear ways through these "men of God". I've heard The LORD speak through them before. Dr. Thomas is a longtime, favorite preacher and evangelist at CMBC. Rev. Jones has also preached at CMBC before, albeit the last time was some time ago, he nevertheless blessed us in great ways.

That said, in revival as in every case, it's not so much about who's preaching. It's really all about The LORD speaking through the preacher and delivering His message to His people. As we fast and pray this month, we're also fasting and praying about our revival. Even if you're not a member of CMBC will you join us in asking The LORD to do whatever He wants to do during our revival time? Pray that God's will is done. Pray that people are saved, healed, strengthened, delivered and set free.

Well, it's getting late and I've got a counseling appointment and two meetings tomorro... if The LORD blesses me to live. If you don't remember anything else, remember this real revival starts with God. Just like rain comes down from heaven, real revival starts with The GOD who is in heaven. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

What do rain and revival have in common? God.

Begin your revival now. Spend time with The LORD. He's waiting to spend time with you.

Agape,
Pastor Fort