---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 6/26/2008 7:13:08 AM
Subject: A Revival Lesson
Dear People who Keep Company with God,
There is
anticipation that we are entering a season of revival that may lead to
spiritual awakening in our nation. Last week, Todd Bentley came to Concord for
one night to bring the Lakeland Outpouring to NC. There was a traffic jam
several miles long of people attempting to get to that meeting. I saw several
people park their cars on the side of the road and walk approximately two miles
to get to the arena. My oldest son,
Aaron, remarked, "This is wonderful that there are so many hungry for God now."
Last
Thursday morning as I awoke I heard these words: revival is coming. Typically
this would be very encouraging and exciting to hear, however with these words
was a sense of great soberness. I immediately remembered Arthur Burt telling me,
"brother everyone wants revival, but not everyone is willing to pay the price
of revival."
This
past Saturday the Lord again reminded me of the reality of this as I read an
email from Iris Ministries concerning Rolland and Heidi Baker. They are the
directors of Iris Ministries which has planted over 7,000 churches in Africa
and are feeding and caring for over 8,000 orphans and vulnerable children in
several countries of Africa and beyond. Miracles, signs and wonders are a regular
part of their ministry. However, they have paid a great price personally. For
the past several months Rolland has suffered with some health issues. His
primary care physician located in the Dallas, Texas area, states, "Rolland
Baker is currently under my care for a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which has
caused some short-term memory loss due to the intense ministry and
administrative responsibilities he has overseen for many years." We should pray
for Rolland to be completely restored and at the same time learn from his
experience.
History
is also a great teacher and it has been said, "Those who ignore history are
doomed to repeat it." In 1904 God used Evan Roberts to lead a revival in Wales
known as the Welsh Revival. The whole nation was affected by this revival. During
the revival the crime rate dropped, alcoholics were delivered and reformed, and
pubs reported losses in business. Bad language disappeared from the lips of
many; it was reported that the pit ponies used to mine coal in that day failed
to understand their born again handlers who seemed to speak a new language void
of cursing and swearing. Even soccer and rugby became uninteresting in the
light of new joy and direction received by the converts.
Evan Roberts
was 26 years old when this revival began and carried a tremendous anointing and
authority to lead the revival; however Evan made a critical mistake which I
believe prematurely shut the revival down. Because the presence of the Lord was
so thick and Evan had such a tremendous anointing, he slept very little for
prolonged periods of time. God had given Evan older men who strongly urged him
to take care of himself, but he ignored their counsel as he was carried along
in such a powerful move of God. By 1906 it all caught up with him. Evan Roberts left the revival and went to
Leicester, England to recuperate from a mental and physical breakdown and the Welsh
Revival came to a premature end. Evan
eventually had 9 breakdowns and at the end of his life wondered what purpose he
had on earth.
This is
not the Father's heart – I believe His heart for us in this wonderful season is
clearly revealed in this prayer of the Apostle John,
Beloved, I pray that in all
respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul
prospers. 3 John 2
Many
Blessings, BW