Setting the Sails

"We cannot organize revival, but we can set our sails to catch the winds of heaven . . . " Learn how to "set your sails" for God's revival wind -- practical steps you can take to begin experiencing the power of God.

[originally published under the title Spirit of Revival]

Articles In This Issue

Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Dan Jarvis

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Setting the Sails

The Harlan Story

Out of the church and into the community -- news of transformed lives and revitalized churches from the mountains of Kentucky proves that revival can begin anywhere, with anyone. The first buds of green lace the tree covered hills in the sleepy Kentucky town of Harlan. The flowers, poised to awaken from a winter of slumber, are ready to burst forth with color and vibrancy. And, as nature's spring orchestra tunes up for another season of growth and fruitfulness, some of the country folk in these parts are discovering new life as well. "We are seeing notoriously lost people give ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Dr. Gregg Curtis

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Setting the Sails

A Taste of God's Glory

One pastor's account of God's supernatural activity in Covington, Indiana and Danville, Illinois. Due to the length of this article, you may want to view/print it in MSWord format (88k) or PDF format (48k). Dr. Gregg Curtis God visited our church in a way that was totally unexpected and unplanned by us. The staff and I had known for some time that our church and community needed a visitation from God. We had prayed for revival, but none of us really knew what we were asking God to do. We received more than we expected-we got what ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Life Action

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Setting the Sails

Revival Saved Our Marriage

"A marriage built on lies" is how Sandy Faucett describes her home life prior to 1990. Outward appearances gave the impression to relatives, friends, and fellow church-attenders that all was well with the Faucetts: Dean and Sandy doted on their three children, and their lifestyle was beyond comfortable. Dean's annual income as a golf equipment salesman surpassed $300,000, all four of their cars were less than a year old, and their home was large and beautiful. They appeared successful, content, and happy. Sadly, the happiness was a facade, for the Faucetts were hiding several dark secrets from one ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Jerry Falwell

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Setting the Sails

My Church Will Never Be the Same

    Prior to October 11, 1973, I had never witnessed a real revival. I had read the account of the Asbury revival, One Divine Moment (Asbury is a college in Wilmore, Kentucky). My heart cried that God might give "another divine moment" for our students. Let me share with you my first experience of revival at Lynchburg. On the seventh of October (1973), the Life Action crusade team -- then from St. Petersburg, Florida -- arrived at Thomas Road (Baptist Church) for a scheduled week-long revival crusade. Under the direction of Del Fehsenfeld Jr., this unique group of young adults began sharing a ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Del Fehsenfeld III

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Setting the Sails

Del Fehsenfeld III

    >> Spirit of Revival Online speaks with Del Fehsenfeld concerning the theology behind "setting one's sails" for revival, and how God wants to include average people in the process.   SORO: What motivates you to pursue revival? Del: God has given us this incredible invitation -- to take Him up on His Word and His promises. The Scripture says that as we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. So, it's very clear to me that God invites each of us to cultivate a sense of His presence in our lives. We've each probably had an experience ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Mark Bearden

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Setting the Sails

Take It By Force!

Have you ever been reading the Bible and come to a verse that makes absolutely no sense? Try Matthew 11:12: "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." I remember first reading that verse and asking, "Lord, what in the world does that mean?" In order to get an understanding of this peculiar passage, let's journey back and look at the Old Testament character of Jacob. Jacob was a twin to his brother Esau, and he was known as a deceiver - a con-artist. He ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Tim St. Clair

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Setting the Sails

Revival in the Church

"Revival is not just an emotional touch; it's a complete takeover!"

That's how one woman describes the revival that took place in her church several years ago. What does such a "takeover" look like? If revival were to come to the church in our day, what would be changed? And what about our lives would never be the same?

I believe revival in our day would contain many of the same distinguishing earmarks that we read about when the Spirit of God was first poured out on believers on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:42-47). 1. There ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Dan Jarvis

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Setting the Sails

Set the Sails

s revival our work or God's? We ask Him to send revival, yet we hold "revival services." He is "the Reviver," but we print articles on how to experience revival. Sound contradictory? The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual life and power. Without Him, there can be no revival or awakening. At the same time, believers must respond in faith to His leading, obeying His call and surrendering to His will. Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church captures this tension well: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Byron Paulus

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Setting the Sails

Prepare the Way

"There was a man sent from God whose name was John." John 1:6

I wonder what people must have thought when news first began to filter out about the rising new star. Virtually overnight, he had emerged out of nowhere to become the hottest young communicator in the entire region. A rough outdoorsman with a forthright message, this unorthodox, unrefined maverick refused to let anybody pull his strings. In fact, he seemed utterly oblivious to cultural expectations and norms, and was apparently unconcerned about the effect that his eccentric "image" might have on his ratings. Yet, though both his ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

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Setting the Sails

Begin in My Sanctuary

The small band of church leaders had been praying earnestly for revival in their community-- a village on the Isle of Lewis, the largest isle of the Outer Hebrides, just off the coast of Scotland. They were particularly burdened for the young people of the island who had no interest in spiritual matters and scorned the things of God. For eighteen months they met--three nights a week, praying through the night, right on into the early hours of the morning, beseeching God to come and visit in revival. But there was no evidence of any change. Then one night, a ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Del Fehsenfeld, Jr.

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Setting the Sails

Unleashing the Power of God

"If we schedule a banquet, we can pack the church. But when we schedule a prayer meeting, we're fortunate if a dozen people show up." I listened intently as the silver-haired pastor of one of the largest churches in America sat in his office and poured out his heart. As we talked, this humble, heavy-hearted servant of God reflected on those days earlier in this century when he was frequently privileged to witness the outpouring of God's Spirit in genuine revival. The secret to those extraordinary movements of God was not to be found in the methods, the ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Del Fehsenfeld III, Dan Jarvis

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Setting the Sails

Spiritual Sailing

Reading revival history can give a person the impression that revival in our times is rather unlikely. After all, the idea that thousands of people would meet in tents or fall on the ground weeping over sin seems a little over-the-top for a sophisticated, cynical, and overly-entertained society like ours. So is it really practical in the 21st century to think of a nation-wide church revival, or even better, a Great Awakening in the culture? We believe it is. The methods of revival preachers and the effects of revival on a given society may vary, but there are some constants ...

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Article

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Byron Paulus

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Setting the Sails

Signs of Revival

"If you are content to live without revival, you will." When I heard Leonard Ravenhill issue this passionate plea for revival, I had no idea that just a short time later a young seminary graduate would be lying prostrate on the floor of my office crying out to God, "Lord, I want revival more than I want to breathe." Something inside of me couldn't escape the radical, holy desire of these two men. It was as if God Himself were issuing a purpose statement for my life, and for all those who love His glory. These encounters, plus one ...

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