7 Things – 2Chron 7:1 Keys for revival

2Chron. 7:1 is an extraordinary passage that describes God's response to a prayer of King Solomon: 

2Chron. 7:1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

It is always great to find 7 secrets in one verse. Here we can see the culmination of Solomon’s prayer and God’s response. I just want to outline 7 awesome principles of revival that can be found in this verse

Prayer - the preparation and provision for revival

We need to pray until revival comes. Don’t stop asking God for revival until you see the answer to this prayer. I don't believe it is possible to have revival without prayer

Fire - the character and consequence of revival

This is a supernatural fire that comes down (fire goes up, but revival fires comes down) from the hand of God. We need God's fire to cleanse our heart and light the way to greater depths of His presence

Heaven - the origin and order of revival

We can pray for revival, but true revival must come as a result of God’s sovereign act. The Lord is the source and center of all revival - it comes from heaven and copies the order of things in His presence

Consumed - the cost and condition of revival

The Lord honored the sacrifice that Solomon prepared – when we become living sacrifices, we will see God’s response. The Lord consumes the total sacrifice - whatever you lay before Him, He will touch

Burnt offerings - the fuel and focus of revival

Our flesh needs to be consumed by the revival fires of God’s presence. Revival always begins with individuals as He touches the depths of our lives

Glory - the purpose and product of revival

This is really what revival is about - the glory of God. Everything that happens in revival must center around Him and bring Him glory

Whole House - the extent and evidence of revival

True revival will touch the whole Body of Christ. I know there will always be those who disagree and speak against a move of God, but revival must be available for all corners of God's Church – the whole house will be touched when He comes like this

Each one of us needs a personal revival - join me in praying for God's presence and reviving Spirit to fall on every soul in every Church, and every generation, in every nation!

Bethlehem - The House of Bread - 7 Things

Here are 7 things that describe Bethlehem - the city where Jesus was born. When Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men and the Shepherds came to Bethlehem, this was the third significant journey to Bethlehem that is recorded in the Bible for us. I am including facts from the first two journeys in this list:

Come to Bethlehem:

• To The City Of God's Praise - (Judah = Praise) Judges 17:9; Ruth 1:1 It is called Bethlehem Judah. Bethlehem was the place where the Lord was honored and exalted.

There was praise before Jesus was conceived – Lu. 1

There was praise before Jesus came – Lu. 1:46-55 (Mary’s song); Lu. 1:64-79)

There was praise right after He was born – Lu. 2:8-14, 20

There was praise 8 days after He was born (Simeon) – Lu. 2:29-32; Anna the prophetess – Lu. 2:38

The Wise Men came to worship Him – they praised God on the journey (Matt. 2:10) and when they saw Him (Matt. 2:11)

Matt. 2:8 Herod Said he wanted to come and worship Him

• To The City Of God's Presence -  Emmanuel Matt. 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us; (Is 7:14; 8:8) – God with us.

His name is Emmanuel  - an expression of the incarnation – for He is “God with us.” (Is. 9:6)

The Old Testament begins with man in the image of God – Gen. 1:26

The New Testament begins with God in the image of man – John 1:14

• To The City Of God's Provision - (Bethlehem = "House Of Bread")

Ruth and Naomi left Bethlehem for Moab because of a famine in the place of bread – they returned to Bethlehem during the time of supernatural provision of the Lord.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

• To The City Of All God's People –  He makes Himself known in the exact way for the heart that needs Him

• Matt. 1:18-24 He came to the poor (Mary and Joseph) He made His coming known in Nazareth (John 1:46 And Nathanael said to him, can anything good come out of Nazareth?) - A little Babe of wonderful destiny was born there in a stable and cradled in a manger.  His Father chose the poor to bring Him into the world, the poor to nurture and care for Him – the poor place as His first home

• Matt. 2:3-8 He came for Kings (Herod) – He made His coming known in the palace - Herod thought Jesus was a threat as King over him. (one man) Matt. 2:8

• Matt. 2:1-2 He came to the Wise Men – He made His coming known in the stars - These thought He was a King for the Jews. (a small group of people) Matt. 2:2

• Lu. 2:8 He came for the working people - Shepherds – He made His coming known in the open fields - The shepherds heard that Jesus  was King for all the earth. (All people)

Lu. 2:10; 14

God chose Ruth (of child-bearing age) – a Gentile – she became a wealthy wife and faithful daughter-in-law

God chose David (about 20 years old) – the youngest – he became the greatest and most remembered King of Israel

God chose Mary (between 14 and 17 years old) – a young, innocent, poor girl – she became the mother of the Messiah

God's choices are not determined by what anyone can measure, see or comprehend. He does not always choose who, or what seems obvious. God often chooses the ordinary so that He can make it extraordinary, and so we might understand that He will use willing and surrendered vessels. He will choose and use the life that is tender and obedient to him. Often His choices seem unreasonable to us.

Lu. 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

• To The City Of God’s Promises - Ephratah (Ephrath means fruitful) Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

Bethlehem’s population was probably 100 to 200 people when Christ was born – about 30,000 today – this is a startling prophecy and promise for such an "insignificant" little town.

Lu. 1:32-33 – …God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.

V 37 – for with God nothing is impossible

John 7:42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

You might seem like an insignificant person, but the promises of God pay no respect to your status. Whatever He has promised over your life - He will do.

• To The City Of God’s Peace: Is. 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Lu. 2:14 The angels sang “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.”

Receive the peace of God for your life and circumstances this Christmas.

• To The City Of God’s Purposes – future/destiny. Every journey to Bethlehem had such a significant impact on the future of God's people all over the world. Ruth became the great-grandmother  of David the greatest King of Israel; Samuel (who made the 2nd journey to Bethlehem) anointed young David as the future King. His actions in obedience to God's choice for His people effected the whole world at that time; and, of course, the greatest event in Bethlehem gives purpose to all mankind: 

 Christ the Savior is born!

Righteousness Exalts A Nation - Proverbs 14:34

For over a month we have been travelling through this delightful country praying for Norway and ministering in a wide variety of churches and denominations. One highlight was a visit to the impressive Nidarosdomen in Tronheim and to nearby Stikelstad, where Norway’s great King Olaf the Holy was killed in battle. Buildings and sites such as these carry so much history and treasure for a nation. The dramatic stone statues of the cathedral’s western façade depict the crucified Christ and multitudes of saints from both the Old and New Testaments. There is an ancient legend, or prophecy, that when the final stone is placed into the Nidarosdomen, Tronheim will fall into the fjord. One of the  figures on the western façade is a stone mason who forever holds on to the final stone so that this dire prediction cannot come to pass.

I was reminded, however, that the true Cathedral of Norway is the present-day Church – the Body of Christ – made up of Believers of all generations and denominations. I also felt impressed of the Lord to declare over Norway that the final stone that must be placed into the Church in these days is the foundation stone of holiness. If the Church of Norway will pursue holiness with all her heart, then Tronheim will not fall into the fjord, but the sea of God’s glory will spill out of the Cathedral and cover all of this great nation:

For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD,

As the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

Here are 7 strategic foundations of holiness to pray over Norway and all the other Nordic nations:

• Holiness is not an option for the Church in these days. It must become the cornerstone of our faith just as it is the foundation of God’s throne (Ps. 89:14), and we must hunger for it and search for it with all our hearts (Matt. 5:6; Matt. 6:33).

• The Lord will hear the cry of those who are rooted in holiness (Ps. 34:15).

• The authority to declare the Kingdom of God and His reign comes from, and through, a holy people (Ps. 45:6).

• The Church must be clothed with righteousness (Ps. 132:9; Is. 61:10; Rom. 6:13-20).

• Holiness and righteousness will bring peace and life to God’s people (Prov. 11:19; Is. 32:17; Is. 54:14).

• Holiness is the light of glory that will be revealed in, and through this nation (Is. 42:6; Is. 56:1; Is. 58:8) – then God’s people will catch the attention of all nations (Is. 61:11; Is. 62:2).

• Righteousness (not riches or power) will make our nations truly great (Prov. 14:34).

Even as the façade of the great Nidarosdomen bears witness to the history of the Church — from Christ’s crucifixion onward—so, too, the history of God’s Bride is shared through our lives. We are the testimony of His greatness and we will be a demonstration of His glory in all the earth. Any nation’s destiny hinges on each of us building holiness into our lives, both personally and corporately. This is the great “stone” that must be placed into the Church in order for God’s glory to be revealed.

Nordic churches: Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)