Pastor Gary has said a few times that Revival Prepares God's people for Evangelism. So, for us to prosper with our evangelistic efforts we must have revival.

I have heard it said that Charleston will never have revival because of the 'religious' spirit(s) encamped here. That there is a 'religious' spirit is true. But, it's proper name is "The Spirit of False Propriety". That is, this spirit chiefly manifests itself in that God's people, (not the religious or unsaved people), can or won't do certain things because it's not proper or they have 'gone beyond' "that" in their walk with Jesus.

While it is true that God inhabits the praises of His people. Seed grows in good soil, and fruit grows from good seed.

Please bear this in mind as I share the two scriptures I believe God is giving the church. And also remember that 'Judah' can be translated to mean 'Praise'. It is possible to be a Praising Church and still miss the move of God!

Hosea 10:11b-12 - "Judah {the Praiser(s)} shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, til He come and rain righteousness upon you." kjv

As the youth were being broken before God I was amazed that we 'adults' were not also broken before God. We prefer the 'good' word and generally believe we can praise ourselves into the victory. But the word is explicit, when we do thusly we are like Jacob the deciever/suplanter and we are called to break up our clods.

Gary has said numerous times that bad stuff happens. True, but in thinking so we become callous to the injuries occuring to others and can not be broken even by a move of the Spirit. *We* are ordered to break up our own fallow ground. Truly, now IS the time to seek the Lord.

Jeremiah 4:3-4 - &For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah, [ie., the men of praise], and Jerusalem [which is the citadel of God's peace], break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, {expose your heart, and be vulnerable (both to the Lord and each other)} ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evils of your doings.& kjv [ouch!]

We are called to another, and He being Christ Jesus, to be presented as a Holy Bride, tender toward Him and the objects of His affection the lost and the weak. Circumcise yourselves, means to personally initiate a heart of repentance and tenderness that can be touched by the needs around you. To allow yourselves to be broken, contite, and humble before your God. To personally rip away the callousness, (that self protective envelope we have erected so we will remain *proper*).

We, also are called to weep and wail between the altar and the doorpost. Not just the youth.