"The Azusa Street Revival was a historic Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and is the origin of the Pentecostal movement. William Joseph Seymour was an African American from Louisiana and was a son of a former slave who had severe case of smallpox which left him blind in one eye and a disfigured face. He was born May 2, 1870 in Centerville Louisiana. The Revival began with a meeting on April 9, 1906, and continued until roughly 1915. It came to be known as the birthplace of the Pentecostal Movement Revival and the birth of a spiritual renewal that hit around the world."
"Seymour and those who were with him knew the revival wasn't about them. They walked in great humility. They were from the wrong side of town yet their humility was visited by God and allowed for what some have considered the greatest harmony in the history of Christianity."
"A story of Real Events. Real People. And a REAL GOD."
I can't remember how I ran into this video last year... but however it happened, God wanted me to watch it and it fired me up and also saddened me (I'll explain later). A lot can be learnt from the life of this humble man. Watch the video and you can also check out this play: The Fire Still Falls Azusa Drama - also comical and really powerful! K I'll share some lines (some paraphrased) from the video and what I took from it.
"Power, miracles, signs... Anointing released at Azusa street. It begun there but it spread to the whole world."
It was the Spring of 1906 when a group of African American christians met up in a simple home in downtown L.A. where they prayed and waited on God's Spirit, Seymour was one of them... One night Seymour preached Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." and then people were actually baptized in the Spirit and begun to speak in tongues. What happened in that house invited ridicule from the press and divided congregations in L.A and all over the U.S. At the same time, it changed lives forever and forged friendships that crossed racial and economic barriers and endured until death... After that meeting a bible study was started on Azusa street and more and more people attended... people across many denominations and today ~600 million people trace their spiritual roots to the Azusa Street Revival.
WOW! That's really cool right? And it's crazy to think that all that stemmed from/strongly influenced by one man's obedience to God. That first 6min is amazing but what blew me away was hearing the story of what Seymour endured during that the time of segregation and blatant racism in America and also within the church. His humility, love and devotion to God is just touching and convicting. Though there was opposition from even his own brothers and sisters in Christ, he remained true to the vision and hunger in his heart, and the calling on his life. And in times of rejection and discouragement he turned to God and waited on Him through prayer, fasting and reading the Word.
If you have been following my blog many things from his story should be sounding familiar... that's why watching this video filled me with hope and also made me sad at the same time... through this video God was showing me the bigger picture of what has been going on here at UCSB and in my own narrative, and the things He wanted to do through the church, what He wanted to do through me, to use me as a pioneer, and it's not just about me but anyone who yielded themselves to be used by God... but He hasn't given up on us He still has GREAT plans for our lives!!! :D
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SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, AMERICA, WORLD, IT'S TIME!!! :D
So yeah, if you've been following my blog you already know that many people have prophesied that a huge revival is coming to Santa Barbara. Also in the 70's Kathryn Kuhlman prophesied that one day a great revival will happen in Santa Barbara and then spread to the whole world (posts: Let there be light and Hello Africans...) Seymour had also prophesied that in 100 years there would be another revival in America. I didn't know that until I watched this video: I shall Now pour out My Spirit The revelation she received from God really struck my heart, "I have repented of a Word I gave Seymore in 1909 about beginning another world-wide revival from America 100 years later ~ FOR SHE DID NOT HUMBLE HERSELF AND OBEY ME TO ENTER IN." Then she goes on to share how the Lord has chosen Wales to begin this world-wide revival due to her humility. Those words really convicted me (the underlined words especially) because it made me think of last year, and the year before... all of the times that God wanted me to lay my life down so that He could move through me but I disobeyed Him because I let low self-esteem, self-rejection, fear of man, fear of standing out keep me from entering in (post: Self- esteem). It also made me realize how my disobedience contributed to setting back this nation from entering into God's promises, and how if I humbled myself and obeyed God... how just one person's sacrifice can make a huge impact in this nation... just like Seymour did, rather what God did through him humbling himself. So yeah, this realization made me really sad and I started crying when I was writing this in the Ucen so I stopped writing and saved it in my drafts. But yeah, though God told that lady that He will start the revival in Wales instead, I have witnessed His Grace and Mercy so heavily in my life... and I say Yes to the revival in Wales! but I also repent and contend for a Revival right here and right now in America and all over the world! FRIENDS, IT'S TIME TO RISE UP! LET HOPE ARISE! IT'S TIME TO PROCLAIM OUR VICTORY! =D
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SIGNS OF THE TIMES: THE END-TIME HARVEST IS UPON US!!! :D
"The movement really originated in a little black church that became integrated in Los Angeles."
In the post: Changing Times I shared the paper that I wrote over the summer for my black studies class called "The Obama Phenomenon" with Madison... it wasn't my best work though (I'll explain what happened later), I wanted to re-do it before I shared it... but basically God was showing me the role of the black church in bringing unity in the body of Christ and the implications of the times we are living in- the prophecies from the Book of Daniel (I already shared this though in the REAL Identity post). This post is an easier read, Wedding Bells, I also did it that summer and it was inspired by Alex and Lissah's wedding. God was once again confirming to me that one of the biggest problem / strongest stronghold in America and the world is the institution of Racism. And that's clearly the work of the *devil (means 'divider') and that's why unity in the body of Christ is actually God's weapon against the devil's schemes and is what will lead to great revival and restoration in America and the world. But for there to be unity, there needs to be humility, everyone humbling themselves in reverence of Christ's supremacy (post: Spirit of Unity)
"Seymour and those who were with him knew the revival wasn't about them. They walked in great humility. They were from the wrong side of town yet their humility was visited by God and allowed for what some have considered the greatest harmony in the history of Christianity."
2.) EARTHQUAKE!! CREATION IS GROANING
So like I said before this post has been in my drafts since last Tuesday, and what usually happens when I wait before posting something is that I get more and more confirmation (well that shouldn't be an excuse for procrastination and disobedience though lol :( Anyway, a few days later I googled Seymours full name coz I wanted to find out more info about the prophecy he made and I found this page: William Seymour and the History of the Azusa Street Outpouring. And I found out more similarities to what led to the awakening back then to what has been brewing up here in Santa Barbara.
The article begins with the earthquake in San Francisco in 1906, "It was the most destructive earthquake in North American history...The unpredictable San Andreas Fault, 800 miles (1287 km) long and passing through the entire State of California, had shifted." It says that many people were angry and blamed God "calling the tragedy a judgment and a warning from the God some were cursing. But that earthquake could have had another cause...the groaning of creation... birth pains! In Romans 8:19-21 the apostle Paul declares that ‘The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."
"For some time spiritual shock waves had been felt, particularly at two centres, in Topeka, Kansas and Houston, Texas. These early tremors called Christians to pray throughout America and in early April, 1906 a massive spiritual awakening erupted at Azusa Street, Los Angeles. The event was so great that the after-shock waves have been felt throughout the world for almost a century impacting almost every nation of the world. A new Pentecost had come. God had opened up his heavenly portals again and had sent great power to his people once more."
Ok back to SB, so later that year I had brought up Paul's vision to some InterVarsity people but people were like it was meant to be interpreted as spiritual earthquake not an actual earthquake but I knew in my spirit that it was both physical and spiritual just like the Romans 8:19-21 Scripture talks about. The physical manifestation was directly connected to the spiritual awakening in the body of Christ leading to massive awakening in the nation and around the world. This was case in Seymour's time and also true in our time. Check it out:
- In the Spring of 2013, Troy organized the With One Voice worship and prayer night to bring together the body of Christ - there was around 100 people there- and a couple of days later, on 5/29/2013 there was a 4.6 magnitude earthquake in Isla Vista (post: Prison Break).
- This year, I came back to SB in the Fall coz God told me to and during the first week of school He gave me the idea of forming an organization called ONE Body (United for Christ) for the purpose of enhancing unity in the body of Christ - the idea was to have at least one student rep from each christian group to be part of it. (I'll share the whole vision of the group later) but anyway, towards the end of Fall quarter I went to an inter-faith dinner where I met Pastor Dave Goss from Light and Life Goleta church. After he heard about the ONE body group I was forming and he put me in contact with his wife, Tracey Goss, who was actually planning a reception "for the Christian orgs to have a time of sharing about what God is doing in our groups, encourage one another and pray for our ministries and our campus." She wanted it to be done in the Fall but there wasn't enough time to plan it so shoot for early Winter. God really impressed unity on her heart this year... her mom had a dream that God would use Tracey to bring small lights together to make one huge light. It was definitely God who drew us together coz we had the same vision. I'll save the whole story for later... so this Winter quarter we were finally able to meet up with the One Body reps and plan our first event called One Love: A Night of Unity. It was really sweet! Around 50 people came. Details later. And then a few days later - yesterday- it rained. Then I saw Matt Pevarnik's status:
Rain and a 2.9 earthquake 10 miles to the west of Isla Vista at the same time? Got to be significant. — with Victoria Pevarnik.
3.) Baptism of the Holy Spirit and with FIRE
Did you catch that? It rained in the middle of a drought and there was an earthquake (also days after the One Love event). I must have been asleep when that earthquake happened coz I didn't feel it but that same day when I was taking a shower this song came to my mind, "When the time is Now or never to make your dreams come true, you better WAKE UP and pay attention." God was just reminding me that it's time for His promises to be fulfilled, though it's been a long and rough road, His mercy endures forever and He stays faithful to His promises!!! GOD IS AWESOME!! :D
So before my Prefall experience we had the Ignite conference in L.A. and I went to Paul, one of the InterVarsity staff, to pray for me... and I don't know if He saw a vision or what but he said these words to me, "God is going to use you to baptize people with the Holy Spirit."I didn't know what it meant at that time but I kept it at the back of my mind. Then at Prefall is when God baptized me with the Holy Spirit and with fire... and I was meant to spread that fire but uh, I failed :/ You see one of my biggest struggles that kept me from entering into His promises for us is self-esteem -not seeing myself as God sees me and doubting that I'm worthy to be used by Him. But that stems from putting my armor down and letting the devil's lies get to my head. Anyone can be used by God all we need to do is have faith, believe in Him and what He says about us. But the past is the past and we are in a season of RENEWAL, God is still able to do the things He said He will do. He will fulfill all His promises to us! Let me share some more quotes from the Seymour video first:
"Teachings of sancitifcation and Christian unity,...
they lived their lives patterned by the lives of the early saints"
"Salvation, Sanctification and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit"
"Speaking in tongues, singing and playing piano under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
(even though she didn't learn how to play piano)."
"God gives us eccentric people... not for us to settle them down...
but for them to raise our spiritual temperature."
but for them to raise our spiritual temperature."
"The meetings did not depend on a human leader but God's presence became more wonderful."
"Don't leave this meeting and talk about tongues, instead try to get people saved....Remember apostolic power will bring apostolic persecution... When you are sanctified people can see it in your life but when you are baptized when He baptizes you the Holy Ghost it brings a holy boldness to stand before the world without fear. Man may say that it is of the devil and you are drunk. But Glory to God! There is a Power behind you that they can't deny." - Seymour.
I may have already mentioned this but most of the drama in the fellowship happened between staff and students but it was obviously (well to me) spiritual warfare. God wants to do more in InterVarsity and in the whole church, He wants to baptize us not just with the Holy Spirit but with FIRE! You can check out the cool video below about Rodney Howard-Brown who's calling is to be a fire-starter.
4.) GREATER WORKS THAN JESUS DID
So what's the point of being filled with the Holy Spirit and FIRE! well, intimacy with God (bride of Christ preparation) and also advancing His Kingdom with power! Also the quotes above reminded me of what God was teaching me in this post: Pimp My Ride.
The personal accounts from Azusa street are so beautiful bringing tears to my eyes. That's what I want. I don't want church as usual. I want the fullness of GOD, fullness of LOVE. I want to see FREEDOM, HEALING and DELIVERANCE. I want to see HEAVEN invading earth.
At 3:16 he explains a vision he had in 1996: "God started speaking to me about the coming age of the church. God is raising a generation of people, they are gonna walk in a reverential fear of God, they're gonna walk in an authority- a Kingdom authority. They're gonna begin to speak things into the atmosphere and they're gonna materialize. They're gonna be young people, teenagers, college students, they're gonna flow in the supernatural and purity... It starts with the Word of God (In John 6:49 Jesus said, "My Word is spirit and Life)..." Watch the rest of it! :D
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PERSONAL & CORPORATE APPLICATION:
Surrender, Unite, Wait on God together :-)
PERSONAL & CORPORATE APPLICATION:
Surrender, Unite, Wait on God together :-)
1.) SURRENDER: We need to repent (turn to God with all of our hearts) and yield to His Spirit.
"God working mightily in the human heart is the spring of all abiding spiritual power; and it is only as men follow out the promptings of the inward spiritual life that they do great things for God." -David Livingstone. (Stole the quote from Caralee's wall :)
"We cannot hold back from God. You cannot divide up your life, giving a bit to God and holding some back for yourself, just in case He doesn't show up. It's all or nothing! God doesn't do half-measures. You have to throw yourself into Him completely, holding nothing back. Then, He is able to do the miraculous with your life. Then He can do what only He can do. Please, give Him your life! What do you want to hold on to it for? Remember, God can do anything with anybody." -Heidi Baker.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139: 23-24)
2.) UNITE: CORPORATE PRAYER AND FASTING
Listen to the message in the first part of the video below- A word from Pastor Ryan fullerton about the importance and power of prayer and fasting - and not just by ourselves but with and for each other. We are family! Let's unite and fight for each other. Let's humble ourselves before God, not just for our sake but for the healing of our land :)
3. WAIT ON GOD ALL TOGETHER: THE DREAM OF A KING EVENT
"On one occasion, while he (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leaveJerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5) Then what did they disciples do? "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." (vs.14) There was unity in constant prayer. And then what happened? "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them." (Acts 2: 1-3)
And also, let's ALL come together and praise God together and let Him fight all our battles. Let us ALL lift up one voice with the faith that our voice has the power to shake the nations and it indeed will. All roads lead to Santa Barbara, on March 1st the One Body team is planning another event, "Dream of a King" at 7pm in the Linda Vista room in FT. Mark your calendars!! And if you're no longer in SB start making plans to come back that weekend. There's an ARMY RISING UP to BREAK EVERY CHAIN and we're about to be SENT OUT with POWER! Wooohoooooooooo! IT'S TIME!!! GLORY TO GOD!! :D
(The beginning of last year a group of young people -college age and post-college- called the Circuit Riders were sent by God to campuses around the US and along the West Coast. They shared the vision that God gave them: A great awakening is going to happened from the West Coast to the East Coast, he (Samuel) also saw a great earthquake and tsunami hitting at that time, but though the earth will be groaning it will be a joyous send-out to the nations to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He saw a wave of revival and reformation. God also gave Him numbers: 80million into the Kingdom and 200,000 being sent out into the nations! SO EXCITING!!! LET'S ENTER IN! SHALL WE?)
"But come, come, children, rally ’round,
and maybe TOGETHER we can make a sound
that will shake the trees or rattle the ground,
make strong our knees,
we’s-a freedom bound.
And we know this place.
Reclaim the crown.
Hold onto the prize,
never put it down.
Be firm in the stance,
no break, no bow,
got to forward on, Mama,
make your move now.
Forward on, Papa, okay.
make your move now.
Forward, dear children,
’cuz FREEDOM is NOW."
-Sunni Patterson, "We know this place."
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“Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but He will heal us;
He has injured us
but He will bind up our wounds.
After two days He will revive us;
on the third day He will restore us,
that we may live in His presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises,
He will appear;
He will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
(Hosea 6:1-3)
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