Spiritual Revival - from Man or God?

This probably sounds like a silly question; but it in the days of the great Revivals, the question was debated - particularly in the Universities. Until they actually witnessed them for themselves, they said it was because of the preachers and publicists that revival actually spread. They said that even Isacc Watts, the popular hymn writer of the time said it was just the good communication skills of the preachers. I doubt if this was true!!

"So what" , you say - that was over 100 years ago. "So what", I say - could this still be something we believe today. Are people's lives changed in our Churches and cities, just because we have good preachers, or is God truly working? I would hope we believe it to be the latter.

Back in my years at University, I was blessed to have God use me in bringing both young and older students to the Lord. In my years of Children's ministry the Lord has used me to bring children to the Lord. But I know, in my own power or skill, I could not do this. I am shy, and I don't know the words to say. God will use us every day to spread revival - but only if we trust in Him and not ourselves.

According to the diaries of those who witnessed the revivals - they were dramatic and lives were indeed changed. But "it pales compared to the miraculous conversions that take place every day when Christians take their faith, their personal witness and the power of the Holy Spirit seriously." (Jack Cavanagh, 2006).

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

I know a man, his name is horner,
He used to live on Grumble corner.
Grumble Corner in Crosspatch town,
And his face was never without a frown.

He grumbled at this, he grumbled at that
He grumbled at his dog, he grumbled at his cat.
He grumbled in the morning, he grumbled at night.
And to grumble and growl was his chief delight.

He grumbled so much at his wife, that she
Began to grumble as well as he.
And all the children, wherever they went,
Reflected their parents discontent.

If the sky was dark and betoken rain
Mr Horner was sure to complain.
And if there was never a cloud about,
He grumbled because of the threatened drought.

One day as I loitered along the street
My old acquintance I chanced to meet.
His old face was without a look of care,
And the ugly frown that he used to wear.

"I may be mistaken", perhaps, I said,
As after saluting I turned my head,
"But is it - and isn't it - that Mr Horner
That used to live on grumble corner".

I met him the next day and I met him again
In melting hot weather and pouring rain.
When stocks were up and stocks were down,
But a smile had somehow replaced the frown."

Dorothy Gaunson.