Lessons from the Biography of God’s Generals

The author read a book containing the biographies of revivalists from the early 19th and 20th centuries. He noted many points from it that could be good lessons for a sustainable revival in the reader’s personal life, family, and society.

The men who were powerfully used were those who were confident that they could do nothing except through the anointing of the Spirit and power of God.
Every revivalist had an incredible hunger and thirst for the Word of God and His presence.
The Welsh Revival was founded on four points: (1) Confess all known sin; (2) Search out all secret and doubtful things; (3) Confess the Lord Jesus openly; (4) Pledge your word that you will fully obey the Spirit.
It is better to wear out for Jesus Christ than to rust out without Him.
Every believer baptized in the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts spoke in other tongues!
Most revivalists had strained relationships because they were anchored in their own doctrines rather than in the continuous guidance of the Holy Spirit (Charles F. Parham vs. William Seymour, and William Seymour vs. William H. Durham).
The preachers became so used to the revival that they started to believe it came through their own effort. Later, the move of God turned into a religion. To avoid falling into this trap, I must continually pursue the presence of God and keep hearing His voice.
During revivals, persecution would start from within the Christian community itself, because God does not move in the way people have imagined. I tend to limit God to the small box of my own understanding and doctrine.
The utmost will of God is that we are found faithful to His plan. Faithfulness will always endure the conflict that comes to challenge it.
John Wesley believed in strong prayer, holiness, divine healing, and that there should be no discrimination in Jesus Christ.
God is looking for a willing vessel. He is not looking for those who brag about their status, degrees, and experience.
You cannot win people by preaching against their church or pastor… If you get to preaching against churches, you will find that the sweet Spirit of Christ is lacking and a harsh, judging spirit takes its place.
Most revivals were crippled by a lack of clear understanding of the Word of God. For example, William Seymour taught that sanctification is a second work of grace after salvation, while William H. Durham taught that it is part of Christ’s finished work at Calvary. This disagreement led to a conflict between Seymour and Durham, which contributed to the end of the Azusa Street Revival.
God won’t allow His glory to fall prey to the arguments of men. If that should happen, He leaves. End of discussion.
If there was ever a man who walked in the revelation of “God in man,” it was John G. Lake. A man of purpose, vision, strength, and character, his one goal in life was to bring the fullness of God to every person. He saw 100,000 medically verified healings! During his time, his city was counted as the healthiest city in the world.
The secret of heaven’s power was not in doing but in being.
As we grow in life, we are invited to become aware of God’s calling for ourselves. But just being “aware” of God’s calling doesn’t mean it is “the time” for that call to be launched into the earth. Divine timing must come before full-time ministry can begin. So don’t be discouraged during your time of preparation, and don’t compare your call with the call of others. Each call has its own timing and plan. Your faithfulness to the Word of God, along with fervent spiritual preparation, determines the timing.
Strive for Pentecost. Contend for it. Pray for it. This, and this alone, will meet the necessity of the human heart, and this alone will have the power to overcome the forces of darkness.
Acts 10:38 was the turning point in the lives of many reformers and revivalists.
We must determine to hold fast to the Word of God and fight for what is ours on the earth.
God’s angels can help, but the war for our destiny is a personal responsibility that we must win.
Do not make any decision in ministry unless you receive a distinct leading from the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, you are deemed to fail (for example, John Alexander Dowie ran for parliament in Australia and later saw his Zion City collapse, and Evan Roberts withdrew from public ministry after his breakdown in 1906 and his years of close partnership with Jessie Penn-Lewis).
Never attempt to display the power of God for personal benefit or out of hurt and emotional wounds.
The greatest snares of a leader lie not in persecution but in success and power.
We must never think we’ve “made it” and begin to dictate our personal power as a result of God-given success. Success brings a multitude of avenues and ventures. If we get caught up in the vast selection that comes with success and fail to develop our spiritual tenacity, we can fall victim to the “whirlwind.”
We must remain with the original, anointed plan of God for our lives and allow Him to open the avenues to administer it. Never stray from what God has commanded you to do on the earth.
God knows the heart of your family and what it will take to move them to the place where they belong. Just keep your own heart right and leave others to God and the Holy Spirit. That way, you will never lose.

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