I think we can all agree that America needs a spiritual revival. I’m not talking about simply a lot of people being saved – as wonderful as that would be. I’m speaking about a radical waking up of the church.
Knowing the need is not enough. There are some deeper questions that need to be asked. Do we truly want a revival to sweep through our nation? More importantly, are we willing to do whatever it takes to lay hold of revival?
In talking to the crowd at the Temple in Jerusalem, the Apostle Peter made an interesting statement.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus.
Acts 3:19-20
He talked about times of refreshing that come from the Lord. This is what we need in our generation. The refreshing wind of revival needs to blow through our cities.
That’s not what we have an issue with. It’s what the Apostle began with that we stumble over. He used that nasty little word that nobody seems to like these days – REPENT. It’s this repentance that ushers in the Spirit of revival.
Revival doesn’t just show up at regular intervals for no reason. As a matter of fact, God doesn’t even send revival because He knows we need it. It’s actually a response to the church beginning to move in the right direction.
Repentance is not very popular in mainline Christianity anymore. We like to think that we’re doing okay and only need a little tweak now and then. Repent sounds too drastic.
To repent means to change your mind, to turn around 180 degrees and head in a new direction. This means that you have to turn away from something.
But more than that, he said that they needed to turn to God. That’s the assumption that keeps us from experiencing the move of God that we really need.
If I say that the church in the USA needs revival, then what I really mean is that we need to turn back to God. That sounds good until you realize that to turn back to God assumes that we’re looking in the wrong direction to begin with. That’s the last thing that many believers would want to admit.
I hate to say this, but a majority of Christians are looking to the world for their fulfillment in this generation. They’ll do their obligatory hour or two in church, Sunday morning. But the rest of their time is spent on their own pursuits and interests.
It’s time for us as God’s people to turn around – to repent of leaving God out of our everyday lives. It’s time to head back in the direction of a radical walk before the Lord. That’s what a desire for revival assumes. It’s what America needs. It’s what the Holy Spirit is longing for us to enter into.
Question: How far are you willing to go to see revival sweep our nation?
© Nick Zaccardi 2014
Tags: America, church, radical, repent, repentance, revival, revival's secret assumptiom, spiritual revival, times of refreshing, turn to God, USA, wake up
I believe that revival is coming to America. Many others do as well. The question I’ve heard a lot these days is; why is revival taking so long to arrive?
As I’ve been praying and reading Scripture, I think I know the answer to that one. But it’s not what we want to hear, and it’s certainly not going to be popular. The principle is found in the first sermon that Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus.
Acts 3:19-20
I believe that the times of refreshing he talked about is what we now call revival. It literally means times of catching your breath.
In talking with believers from many different places, I think it’s clear that America needs revival. The bigger question is; do we really want revival? By that I mean will we do whatever it takes to lay hold of revival?
The church needs to understand that revival doesn’t just happen. God doesn’t look down at the earth and say, “They sure need revival. I think I’ll help them out and send it.” Revival doesn’t come simply because it’s needed.
In talking to the people, Peter said that they needed to repent. That word means to change your mind and turn around. He continued by saying, then your sins are erased and times of refreshing will come.
I believe that the key word there is times. If we’re ready, then God will send us revival times. As His people, we must understand that God wants to send us times of revival. It’s us that need to cooperate with His plan.
It’s all a matter of timing. We need to understand how God’s timing works. That was one of the things that Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for.
He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
Luke 12:54-56
Jesus rebuked His generation for being able to discern the weather, yet they were unable to discern the time – God’s appointed times. We must do better than them. We need to know both the times we live in, and what’s required of God’s people during these times.
I want to take a few posts to talk about this. God’s timetable. How does it work, and why revival seems to be taking so long to arrive. We need to be a people who position themselves to lay hold of God’s will.
Question: What does this present time require of God’s people?
© Nick Zaccardi 2014
Tags: America, delay, God's timing, refreshing, repent, repentance, revival, spiritual, spiritual weather, times of refreshing, why no revival
There are times when we pick up a bad attitude towards God. This usually happens when we feel that God isn’t listening to us. We think He’s ignoring us. There was a time in Israel that the people felt the same way.
After they returned from captivity in Babylon, the prophet Malachi was sent with a message from God. Listen to the exchange.
“I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’”
Malachi 1:2a
God gets right down to the basics. It’s all about His love for us. He loves us with an everlasting love.
That love is also a tough love. It’s like a parent who will not let their child touch a hot stove. The Bible clearly teaches that discipline flows out of the Father’s love. That’s usually when we get upset.
In the face of God’s love, the people respond with, “How have you loved us?” It’s a slap in God’s face. They’re saying, “Prove it, God.” It implies that they see no evidence of God’s love.
Why this attitude. It could be because they had just returned from Babylon. Their fields were overgrown. They were surrounded by their enemies. The temple they worshipped in was vastly inferior to the one Solomon built.
“Look at what’s happening to me, God. How can You possibly say that you love me.”
The thing is, we do this all the time in our attitudes. Here’s what they didn’t understand. The condition they found themselves in was because of their sin. It got so bad that they were captured and taken from their homeland.
Now they’ve repented. They’ve turned away from the false gods and were brought back to the land of promise. This is where the attitude springs up.
“Lord I repented, why aren’t things like they were before?”
This is what we need to learn as well. Repentance does not equal restoration. How do you get restoration?
Look at it this way. Spiritually speaking, you spent years planting weeds. Now your life is growing nothing but dandelions and chicory. You see the error of your ways and you repent. Immediately you want God to turn all your weeds into porterhouse steaks! I can tell you from the Word of God, and my own experience – it rarely ever happens that way.
What do you need to do? You dig up the weeds, plant new seed, and wait for the new harvest. Yes, you can trust God for an abundant harvest; and even a quick harvest. But there will still be a period of waiting for the blessings to appear.
Repentance and restoration. They go hand in hand. It’s just that restoration sometimes takes a little longer than we want it to. I repent and replant. Then I remember to keep my attitudes pure as I wait on the Lord to restore what was lost.
Question: What has the Lord restored in your life? How long did it take?
© Nick Zaccardi 2014
Tags: bad attitude, God, God not listening, God silent, God's love, harvest, planting, repentance, repentance and restoration, restoration, seed, sowing, tough love
Everybody says that they want revival. Few understand what it is or how it comes about. The spirit of revival starts in the lives of individuals before it ever sweeps the church.
What I’ve found is that there are five realizations that we must come to for revival to get a foothold in our lives.
King David understood this. The following is taken from Psalm 51. You may want to read it before looking at the rest of this article. It’s David’s cry for repentance after his sin with Bathsheba.
(Verses 1-5) Realization #1 – I’m not walking in the fullness of my calling. We need to take a long, hard, look at ourselves. No comparisons, no excuses, and no justifications. We must see the life that Christ has called us to live, compared to how we’re walking. This alone should drive us toward repentance.
(Verses 6-9) Realization #2 – Cleaning my life is something only God can do. It’s not enough to simply say that I’m sorry and then trying my best to do better next time. I must come to the point where I know I will never attain a godly life on my own. I need the power of the Holy Spirit working in me.
(Verses 10-12) Realization #3 – I WANT God to change me. Knowing that I need to change, and wanting it, is a big difference. There are too many believers that cry over their sin on Sunday, and then run back into it the rest of the week. We must cry out for the change that the Lord wants to accomplish in us. Change will only come when we open the door of our heart to the wind of God’s Spirit.
(Verses 13-15) Realization #4 – I must lead others to the point of revival by my example. The sad thing is that we like to wait for someone else to experience it first, before we jump in. It’s getting too late for that. The time is now. We desperately need revival.
“Start the work in me, Lord.”
That should be our attitude.
(Verses 16-17) Realization #5 – God doesn’t want my stuff, He wants me. We sometimes get the idea that it’s about what I can contribute to the Kingdom. It’s not your money, time or resources that God is looking for – He wants you. The Lord knows that if you willingly lay down your life at His feet, then anything else will be freely given.
The rest of the Psalm shows the move from personal to corporate revival. That’s what it’s all about. The only way to a move of God that sweeps through His church, is when He moves in the lives of individuals. The road to revival is an alignment of our attitudes with the Word.
Seek a revival in your soul that will lead to a waking up of God’s people.
Question: What is God seeking to change in your life?
© Nick Zaccardi 2014
Tags: change, church, corporate, cultivating revival, individual, personal, Psalm 51, realizations, repentance, revival, soul, spirit of revival
I’ve been talking about the connection between revival, repentance, and forgiveness. I believe that’s what’s necessary to usher in a revival in our nation.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Is this verse true? Can evil be overcome with good? The answer is a resounding YES! The principles of forgiveness bring victory over evil. Look at the example of Scripture.
In the early church of Jerusalem thousands of people a month were being saved. Jesus was being preached. Also during this time the apostles were arrested and brought before the religious leaders for questioning.
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:18
This was the outcome of their meeting. Does it sound familiar to you? It should. This is the attitude of society in the United States today. They tell us that we can do whatever we want – just don’t mention Jesus.
What was the response of the church in Jerusalem to this kind of attitude? Did they go out and preach some more? Hold a Jesus concert? Put a referendum on the ballot? Absolutely not.
They called a prayer meeting. This is what they brought before the Lord at that time.
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29-30
Considering that they were told not to use the name of Jesus, here’s their request. First, they asked for boldness. Then they asked for healings, miraculous signs and wonders. But the important point was that they wanted them accomplished in the name of Jesus.
They didn’t just want to preach in His name, they wanted the world to see the power of the name of Jesus. This is the forgiveness principle at work – it’s the power to arrest and destroy sin. It’s all done by the power of the Spirit.
That brings me back to the verse I first started with at the beginning of this series.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Do we want our land healed? Then sin must be forgiven – removed – arrested and destroyed. The only way this will happen is for the church to get on our knees. There needs to be intercession made for our nation.
Not praying for a better president or leaders. Not praying for new laws. We must cry out God to give us the boldness to speak His Word. We must intercede for the Lord to send miracles, healings, signs and wonders. All of this so that the name of Jesus can break sin.
After all, it’s so much easier to win the lost if the battle is won first in the heavens.
Questions: Why is it so hard to get people to intercede for our nation? Are you willing to pay the price for revival?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: boldness, Christ, forgiveness, healing, Holy Spirit, intercession, Jesus, miracles, name of Jesus, overcome evil with good, power, power of God, power of the spirit, pray for revival, repentance, revival, revival in America, victory
America needs a spiritual revival. That’s beyond question. I believe that it’s coming. But we as God’s people need to prepare ourselves for it. I want to take a few posts to deal with an issue that I think is important for us to understand in this generation.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
The outcome of this verse is to forgive their sin and heal their land. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that these two concepts are linked with each other. If we want to be positioned for revival, then we must grasp how the forgiveness of God figures into it. In this post I want to talk about some principles of forgiveness.
Forgiveness was God’s idea. Human beings would have never come up with this concept. It was God who first approached us and told us that forgiveness was possible. Only after seeing His example, could we try and forgive others in the same way He forgave us.
True forgiveness is freedom. When we sin against God or another person, we place ourselves under the curse of divine judgment. My sin has a penalty that must be paid.
We have watered down the scope of forgiveness. Forgiveness ends the demand for the penalty. Then it goes even further and frees us from the payment of that penalty. Then, because of what Christ did on the cross, that sin is totally and permanently removed from my record! Now that’s freedom!
Forgiveness is a process. There’s a definite flow of events in order for forgiveness to take place. First there is the sin that brings the need for forgiveness. Then, forgiveness itself must be purchased. In our case God purchased it by the precious blood of Christ.
The next steps are on my part. First, I have to humble myself, admit what I have done, and turn from my sin. That’s what true repentance it.
Next, I have to receive the forgiveness that was purchased for me. This is probably the most overlooked step of the whole process. Only when all of these things are accomplished can I step into the freedom of forgiveness.
There’s a link between revival and forgiveness. Sometimes we miss the blessing because we don’t see the big picture. America is in need of a great change. We need revival.
We think the problem is that when we tell others about Christ, they don’t want to listen. We need to see the scope of revival. In the verse above we’re told that it comes when God’s people pray.
Revival comes when the church humbles itself. Literally this Scripture says we need to search out, seek, and strive after the presence of God. Only then will forgiveness and revival break out.
In the next posts I’ll deal with how and why forgiveness and revival work together.
Question: How often do you specifically pray for revival in our nation?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: America, America needs revival, coming revival, forgive, forgive their sin, forgiveness, freedom, heal their land, humble, penalty of sin, positioned for revival, pray for revival, receiving forgiveness, repentance, revival, revival forgiveness connection, USA
Do you ever fast? How often do you fast? Do you fast regularly? Weekly? Monthly? Why do you fast? Why don’t you fast? Is fasting even important in the life of the Christian?
I believe that fasting is one of the most powerful disciplines that you can participate in. So, I’m going to deal with some of these issues in a series of posts. Hopefully, by the end of this series, you will decide to fast at least one day a week. Not only that, but you’ll look forward to fasting with expectancy in what it will accomplish in your life and ministry.
The Old Testament is filled with references about fasting. I want to take this post to explain the Old Testament fast and how it relates to the New Testament. As in all areas, whenever an Old Covenant teaching is studied, it must pass through the filter of the cross before we can apply it to our lives. Only then can you know how much of it, if any, has a place in the New Covenant.
The first thing that should strike you as you study the Old Testament is that fasting was a very mournful experience. Here are a few occurrences for you to look up. In Judges 20:26, Israel fasted after a military defeat in order to gain a victory. In I Kings 21:9, they fasted during a time of judgment in order to show their humility and repentance. In Joel 1:14, it was to show repentance.
The principle found in I Samuel 31:13 shows fasting during a time of mourning. In Daniel 9:3, he fasted to remind God of the promise to restore Israel. Finally, Ezra 8:21 demonstrates humility before God in order to bring about the restoration of Jerusalem.
It’s clear from the above verses that a majority of the Old Testament fasting experience was one of mourning and humility before God. Unfortunately, many Christians spend a lot of time getting all of their fasting theology from the Old Testament.
They think that they have to mourn over sin and fast in order to do “penance.” They’re hoping that by doing something hard, they’ll obtain what they want from God. In essence, they’re trying to get God to do something for them by doing something difficult for Him. As you’ll see from Scripture, this is not the fast we’re called to.
Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”
Zechariah 8:18-19
Zechariah was a prophet who ministered just before the “quiet time” between the Old and New Testaments. During his time, a prophecy came forth that some day fasting was going to change.
Instead of the mourning that Israel was accustomed to, fasting was going to become a joy. I believe that he was referring to the fast that we experience under the New Covenant. That’s the fast I will talk about in the upcoming posts.
Question: What’s your fasting experience at this point in your Christian walk?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: Christian, fast, fasting, fasting for you, happy, humility, joy, mourning, New Testament, Old Testament, penance, powerful, repentance, spiritual fast
In my last post I talked about a statement that Jesus made to the church. In it He warns us that the last days before His return would be similar to the days of Noah. What was that like? Things were going along business as usual.
The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
Genesis 6:5
That sounds very familiar. God saw how great man’s wickedness had become. People’s thoughts would turn in the direction of evil all the time. Our society is like that today. The main concern of most people is, “How can I satisfy myself?” That’s fallen man’s cry from morning until night. Both Noah’s society and what we see happening around us today sound the same to me.
You know the rest of the story. God shows Noah His plan. Noah obeys and builds the ark for the saving of his family. But what does all that have to do with the return of Christ? Jesus is making a comparison here.
The world was filled with violence during the days of Noah. Our society is plagued with the same things as well. We see wickedness, evil thoughts, corruption, and violence all around us. If you live in the inner city, violence is a way of life. Unfortunately, it’s moving out more and more into the countryside, just like it was in the days of Noah. What is this leading to?
On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind…Then the Lord shut him in.
Genesis 7:13-16
Just like it was in THE DAYS of Noah, they were eating, drinking, and marrying right up until THE DAY Noah entered the ark. Scripture says “the very day” Noah entered the ark. At that point the flood came.
Did they have any warning that the flood was coming? They sure did! Noah had been warning them for about one hundred years. That’s how long it took him to build the ark.
What we need to understand is that when the door to the ark was finally shut it was too late. Here is a very important question. Who shut the door to the ark? Please pay careful attention to this fact. It was God who shut the door. Noah didn’t shut it, and he couldn’t open it.
Once that door was shut, no one could change their mind and get in. It was too late. I’m sure that when the rain started falling, there were people pounding on that door. But when God shuts the door, the time of repentance is over.
I believe that there will be a day when God will close the door to salvation. That’s why it’s imperative that we preach the Good News while God’s ark of salvation remains open.
Question: What are you doing to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: business as usual, Christ, evil thoughts, fallen man, good news, good news of Jesus Christ, Jesus, Noah's ark, obedience, obey, repentance, return of Christ, salvation, second coming, the days of Noah, the last days, violence, wickedness
The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity – in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground – in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
Deuteronomy 28:11-13
Israel was called by God to walk in excellence. To live at that level requires above average resources. Scripture is clear that along with the calling we can expect the supernatural equipping of God. He never calls you to a work and then leaves you to use your own strength and ability.
God wants you to have excellence in ministry. He wants you to have all that you need to fulfill that ministry. God has never been the God of “just enough.”
Some may say, “It’s too late for me. I’ve wasted too many years in mediocrity to be able to walk in excellence now.”
To you I say, “Let God be God.” You take care of your part, and He’ll take care of His. The above verse was written to Israel so they would know God’s perfect will for their nation, which was that they might walk in excellence.
There was a problem, however. In the next chapters, Moses went on to prophesy through the Spirit that they would fall away from their divine calling and lose the abundance of excellence. He then goes further into the future showing them that eventually they would repent and return to the way God had chosen for them to walk.
The next verse explains what God said His reaction would be when they once again returned to a walk of excellence.
Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers.
Deuteronomy 30:9
Praise God for the once again in the Lord. All God is looking for is someone to humble themselves before Him. This will require the person to admit his or her mistakes, repent, and turn back to the right path.
He wants the fruit of your hands to flow with excellent prosperity. You need to be listening for His voice and watching for His leading. If you find that you’ve blown it, then be quick to admit it, repent, and move on.
Question: How has God equipped you for your calling?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: excellence, excellence in ministry, excellence restored, excellent, God's will, humble, humility, mediocrity, repentance, resources, restoration, restoration of God, supernatural equipping, walk of excellence
Ungodly. The word usually makes us think of the unsaved. The problem is that there are many ungodly Christians that are totally unaware of their condition. Are you one of them? Check out what the Bible says about it.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5
Paul tells us that we are to examine our lives. This word literally means to scrutinize how we live.
Do you know Christ is in you? Most Christians understand this concept. They realize that Christ is in them. When they asked Him to be the Lord of their lives, Christ made their heart His home. Most believers will pass this test.
Does it matter to you? This is where the test starts to get tough. It’s surprising that many who belong to Christ really don’t give Him a second thought. They go throughout the day without ever acknowledging Him.
It seems that they’re oblivious to the fact that Jesus is accompanying them wherever they go. He’s a silent listener of every conversation. If this was a reality to us, we would probably behave much differently.
Do you want to know God’s will? Not only is Christ with us at all times, but He has a plan for our lives. The question really comes down to; whose will is more important – mine or the Lord’s? Many don’t want to know God’s will for their lives because they’re afraid it will interfere with their plans.
Do you want to accomplish God’s will? Knowing God’s will is not the end of it. What we really need to do is accomplish it. Not only is Christ with us wherever we go, He expects us to represent him and His kingdom to the world. What many don’t realize is that unless we answer “yes” to this question, God will not reveal His will to us.
Are you seeking God’s approval? This is the final and greatest test of godliness. Who are we seeking to please? Are we after our own pleasure? That of our friends or family? The Bible is clear that unless we’re “God-pleasers” our lives will be worthless – there will be no reward at the end.
How do these questions play out in your life? A “no” to any of the highlighted questions should be a warning that you’re in danger of ungodliness. If so, then repent of it and move on with the Lord.
It’s time for God’s people to live like they truly understand the Lord’s presence in their lives.
Question: What signs of godliness do you see in your life?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: accomplish God's will, acknowledging Christ, Bible, Christ, Christ in you, danger, examine, God's approval, God-pleaser, godliness, heart, Jesus, kingdom, know God's will, presence, presence of God, repent, repentance, represent, reward, scrutinize, test, the Lord's presence, ungodliness, ungodly, ungodly Christians, unsaved, warning, warning signs of ungodliness
I think we can all agree that America needs a spiritual revival. I’m not talking about simply a lot of people being saved – as wonderful as that would be. I’m speaking about a radical waking up of the church.
The Spirit and the Word 