#Asbury Revival

[dearlittlefandom-stalker]

Heyyyy all my peeps, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check out the Asbury University Revival going on RIGHT NOW. A regular morning chapel service on Wednesday the 8th has been ongoing since. The videos are so, so beautiful. People are singing worship, there have been multiple preachers, and praying almost nonstop. People are coming from states away and it’s so wonderful how God is moving there

[proverbsprovider]

Such a gorgeous moment 🥰😍 God is in Kentucky right now ✝️

[citylightconfessions]

Revival

I don't want a taste of organized religion

I don't need a sip from the cup of wine at the edge of the alter

Give me a glass of grape juice and a roll of ritz crackers and I will

toast to all that He has done for me

I am not in awe of the elite who never fall

I am not in jealousy that my God has chosen to dwell

in the chapel

I am not angry

at those who repent for being gay

I am not distraught by purity culture

I do not care where you put your mouth

or your money

dear God just give me Jesus

I want Jesus

I want his arms around my neck

choking out all of the hatred in my heart

give me newness my Father in heaven

give me strength to navigate the anger

in my soul

I just need

You Jesus

I need you.

[feedingtheflockministry]

Asbury Revival 2023

In Wilmore Kentucky there was a revival that happened at Asbury University. Thousands of people flocked to see and experience it first hand. Many believers who attended it experienced the move of the Holy Spirit and witnessed lives being transformed from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of heaven. This revival was an answered prayer for many believers everywhere. Unfortunately though, due to the division that is ever present among believers today there is no lack of nay sayers in the faith.

Many of those that spoke out against this revival had their reasons of course. Some were your garden variety Cessationist that claim the gifts of speaking in tongues, casting out demons, and miraculous healings went away with the first century church. Others spoke out against the revival because the church that was leading it ordained women ministers. While others spoke out against the revival because homosexuals where there also. As I pondered on this revival an account from the book of Acts came to mind. That account was this;

Acts 10:9-16, “About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

After this vision (Acts 10:17-43) Peter is summoned by a centurion named Cornelius to come and speak with him and those with him. Peter told Cornelius this, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” After Cornelius told him of the vision he had of a man in shining clothing telling him to send for Peter. Peter replied, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” Afterwards Peter started to preach.

Acts 10:44-48, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Notice what happened here was not the normal protocol which was baptism first then receiving the Holy Spirit, but instead the opposite. What was Peter’s response? He accepted it as the work of the Holy Spirit and followed Him. Peter did not call what he witnessed “strange fire” or labeled it evil or demonic because it did not fit with what he witnessed before.

What happens when we call the works of the Holy Spirit evil, strange fire, demonic, or the work of satan? We commit a sin that has no forgiveness of. It is called blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke on this sin in Matthew 12:22-32. That passage reads;

“Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

Many Christians out there think it is their job to judge others because their pastor does, and pastors pass judgement on others because of misunderstandings, arrogance, and pride. Judging others never comes out of a humble heart, but rather a prideful one. For God is both the law giver and judge alone. If your pastor or someone you follow on social media uses terms like “strange fire” or attacks others in the faith for various reasons please abandon them immediately. Do not let these “ravenous wolves” drag you into eternal torment with them.

[sjmattson]

Maybe the closest example we have of a ‘revival’ in the Bible is the Pentecost described in Acts 2: where different people from different nations and cultures learned to generously live in community with each other.

While some mocked this, Peter explained the phenomenon as being centered around Jesus. Eventually, believers broke bread together and sold their property and possessions in order to give to those in need. They became like Jesus.

[alethianightsong]

Me seeing that the Asbury Revival caused a measles outbreak cuz putting a buncha self-righteous antivaxxers in the same room for days on end was a bad idea

[kgdrendel]

Asbury University and the Manifest Presence of God

I am cautioned, at the same time, by the words of Jesus to the woman at the well that we need to worship God in spirit and truth.

I don’t recall where I obtained this capture, but I am grateful for it. I woke up thinking about the phrase, “manifest presence of God”. I am not sure where I even heard that phrase. I had not thought of it in ages, but the phrase popped into my head when I slipped from my dreams last night into a brief state of consciousness. I would say that the so-called “Asbury revival” is an example of the…

[bluezey]

I finally remembered to look up this address and- oh that sucks, they're going to end it?

Tbf they're still gonna have weekday services, and kind of "move it" to local churches, but it sucks they chose to end it on earthly time

Then again they are college students, and education is important and expensive, so 😅

[legal-poppy]

being one of the few people suspicious of the supposed revival at asbury is a wild experience. most people are shouting hallelujahs and praise the lords that the young people are finding god again. they're traveling to a school where students were told "if you're not going to this revival you're a bad person and a bad christian", where classes were cancelled and outsiders aren't leaving them alone, ignoring the fear and danger that the actual students are feeling because their safety has been destroyed by grown adults who are desperate to feel connected to god and you apparently can't experience that on your own? it's been over a week and churches are still celebrating this event even as people come from all over the world to project their own needs onto what started as a small moment of vulnerability at a small college in the middle of nowhere, kentucky. if, and that's a very small if, the students at asbury experienced a real revival last wednesday, it should have never become the giant global phenomenon that people are celebrating and i'm glad that the school is finally shutting it down

[garyrevel]

How the Asbury Revival started.

[fcb4]

Revival at the Kitchen Sink

Asbury University to end nonstop 'revival' service, lists new guidelines and final schedule

"We recognize life for the students had to return to normal, they have to go to school, they have midterms next week," "They know this is a gift, they have received it as a gift, so we are going to challenge them with now you take this to your job, your family, your church."

"I feel as though maybe we were the candle and now we are just passing that flame on to other churches and other schools,"

Abby Laub, communications director of Asbury University, said the campus will return to normalcy.

The university will also no longer allow live streaming of the service.(WDRB news report)

All God given outpourings are purposed to open us up to the abundant life in Christ provided by our union with the Holy Spirit.

It’s an anytime, anywhere for everyone gift!

“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” -Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭39‬ ‭

Your kitchen sink can become your altar and sanctuary when you are living out the joys and realities of a life full of the Holy Spirit.

Brother Lawrence (mid 1600s): “I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to GOD, which I may call an actual presence of GOD; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with GOD, which often causes in me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others.”

If crusty old Catholic saints aren’t your vibe how about a Holy Ghost encounter while you’re waiting for a sandwich?

‭‭Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.”

Dear Saints your Savior has never left you alone, He dwells within you by His Spirit and His living and abiding Word. Times of spiritual refreshment come through the presence of the Lord! (Acts 3:19-20)

The Spirit is uncontainable and unpredictable like the wind -Jesus (John 3:8).

This is the secret to living in the Spirit vs a religious paradigm of searching for where the Spirit may or may not be in some form, measure or meeting. You can not and need not schedule union with God when you live, move and have your being in Him (Acts 17:28).

All our chore times, reading with our children, car rides, laundry folding, gardening, family feasting, worship services, prayer times, small meetings, outreaches and good works of service are overflow opportunities for the living water within you (John 7:38).

May all the meetings we have witnessed and the ones that are sparked from them encourage us all to pursue lives of expectation and enjoyment through the miracle of the mundane, a humble and holy life offered to God in love and service.

Artist: Jack Baumgartner

[all-one-or-none]

Asbury

The following is a Facebook post from a friend of a friend.

I’m hesitant to post my thoughts on what’s happening in Wilmore. A few of you may have heard about the “Revival” at Asbury University. I attended the gatherings from the first day til now. A chapel service that didn't stop but continued spontaneously for 8 days now. It was an intimate space for students but it is now the focus of global intrigue, mass pilgrimage, and digital evaluation. I am aware that not everyone has a paradigm for this form of spirituality but I want to be honest to my own understanding. 

I come from a spiritual background that has left me weary of hype in a culture of spectacle. I’ve grown tired of disintegrous representations of divine work but it is clear God is moving in a surprising and transformative way. However, when you think of “revival”, what comes to mind might not be what’s happening.

To quote Professor McCall, a theology professor at Asbury Seminary, “what we are experiencing now—this inexpressibly deep sense of peace, wholeness, holiness, belonging, and love—is only the smallest of windows into the life for which we are made.”

The movements of the spirit in western evangelicalism always exist in the middle of a cultural moment. A generous interpretation of these movements reveals unique traits for each one. For example, fervor for the great commission at the Mt. Hermon Conference, overwhelming joy in Toronto Outpouring, zeal for the lost in Brownsville Revival, acts of healing at the Kansas City awakening, and manifestation of tongues at the Azusa Street revival. In each move of the spirit, God clearly manifests in a specific way for that generation. I find it interesting that God would mark this outpouring with:

 A tangible sense of peace for an generation with unprecedented anxiety.

 A restorative sense of belonging for a generation amidst an epidemic of loneliness 

 An authentic hope for a generation marked by depression. 

 A leadership emphasizing protective humility in relationship with power for a generation deeply hurt by the abuse of religious power. 

 A focus on participatory adoration for an age of digital distraction.  

It feels as if God is personally meeting young adults in ways meaningful to them. My generation was formed differently then previous generations and so the traits of this revival are different then revivals of old. The new outpouring is not the signs and wonders nor zealous intercession nor spontaneous tongues nor charismatic physicalities nor the visceral travail. It is marked by a tangible feeling of holistic peace, a restorative sense of belonging, a non-anxious presence through felt safety, repentance driven by experienced kindness, humble stewardship of power, and holiness through treasuring adoration.  

It is important to reflect on the words of Jesus ”no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”

I don’t want to make the mistake of trying to fit this new work into old paradigms. The new wine cannot be understood with the old expectations of revival. 

As the revival has grown, people attempt to evaluate and participate from their old expectations. You cannot keep new wine in the old wineskin; or it may cause disappointment, disillusionment and divisiveness. In humility, we must receive the new wine with an open hand without trying to force this spiritual movement into our well intended but old expectations of renewal. We must strive to humbly participate, appreciatively celebrate, and intentional respond to this surprising work of the spirit with openness and hunger. 

[blaqekklesia]

An interesting story from Dr. Craig Keener concerning some happenings before the Asbury Revival of 2023 featuring some of the Black students and others with the racial background history of Jessamine County, Kentucky.

[slave-of-the-lord-jesus-christ]

Watch "There Is Simply NO REASON Ben Shapiro Should Like the Asbury Revival" on YouTube

[spokanefavs]

"After more than two weeks and worldwide headlines, revival services at Asbury University in central Kentucky came to an end recently.

But the revival goes on off-campus."