Dear Christian Warriors:
In the nineteenth century, Charles Finney brought many into Jesus Christ's Kingdom. A writer in Australia details several key insights from Finney, very relevant to today. The first of three insights from Mr. Finney is presented below:
According to the Pew Research Center, Christianity in America is declining at an alarming rate. In the 1990s 86% of Americans identified themselves as Christian. By 2007 that number had dropped to 78.4% and only 7 years later, in 2014, it had dropped another 6% to 70.6%. By 2021 it had dropped another 7 percentage points to 63%.
During the same period, the percentage of Americans who describe themselves as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” has increased dramatically. From 2007 to 2021 their number jumped from 16% to 29%. Also, the number of Americans who identify with non-Christian faiths has grown, especially among Muslims and Hindus.
These facts should provoke us to ask, “Why?” Why is this happening despite all our mega churches and conferences, our new apostolic order, our prayers and intercessions, our prophetic declarations, and our revivals?
Charles G. Finney (1792-1875, known as the “prince of revivalists,” has something to say to us in this regard. Finney saw entire communities transformed by the revivals he spearheaded, and he wrote extensively on the subject.
Whereas today we tend to look for a better method or different strategy for producing a revival, Finney would say we need to examine the attitude of our hearts and consider our motives. Here are three attitudes that Finney says will hinder and destroy revival.
Attitude 1 When Christians Seek Revival from Selfish Motives
The Pharisees did a lot of good things—praying, fasting, tithing—but were on the receiving end of the most severe rebukes from Jesus. He rebuked them, not for “what” they did, but for “why” they did it. Their self-righteous, prideful motives were abhorrent to the Lord.
This is true when it comes to revival. Are we seeking revival from pure motives-- to see God’s kingdom advanced and souls come to Christ--or do we want revival for our own personal advancement and success?
During the revivals of the 1990s, a pastor told how God revealed to him his selfish motive in praying for revival. He was going to his church each morning at 6 am and praying for revival. One morning the Holy Spirit brought another church in his city to mind and asked, “What if I choose to begin the revival for which you are praying in this congregation.” He replied, “Lord, you wouldn’t!”
Finney told of how he encountered so many pastors and churches wanting revival for very personal and selfish reasons. Some wanted revival to increase their numbers so they could build a new and larger building. Others wanted revival because they felt competitive with another church in the community and wanted to raise their status and visibility.
Finney said,
"I have had a multitude of letters and requests that I would visit such and such places, and endeavor to promote a revival, and many reasons have been urged why I should go. But when I came to weigh their reasons, I have sometimes found every one of them to be selfish. And God would look upon every one with abhorrence."
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Yes, Judgment begins in the house of God. 1 Peter 4:17. Pride is an abomination to the Lord. Whether or not you're a pastor, take time with the Holy Spirit to see if you still may have any residue of pride, or competition, or jealousy towards other believers or their flocks. We are to be of "one accord." Acts : 2:1, 46. Ephesians 4: 3 tells us to "endeavor--- [really go the extra mile] to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
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Do you see God's Gift of repentance as vital in our personal lives? In our nations? If so, you're part of the repentance remnant, purifying to be ready for the soon-coming Bridegroom. Encouraging repentance is NDR's sole purpose for ministry.
No church or foundation supports us; only saints like you. In addition to the various repentance initiatives we support in various nations, we have two volunteers who receive no salary and need regular support.
Whatever the amount, seed into this move of God, in the same Way as did those believers in Macedonia, 2 Corinthians 8: 1-4: " Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their JOY and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, IMPLORING us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints."
God bless you,
Pastor Jeff Daly
National Day of Repentance
In addition to joining us on Africa Kneels every Thursday at Noon Eastern time USA [please email for zoom info] , please join us Wednesdays at 2 PM Eastern time USA, for our weekly one hour repentance zoom call. It's a time for a spiritual cleanse. You'll have time IN PRIVATE with the Holy Spirit to remove a particular old sin stronghold, and --like Nehemiah and Daniel--also confess your sin and the sin of your nation for disregarding God's Word. The sharing that follows such private confession of our sins is a sweet witness of the healing and JOY that ALWAYS follows repentance!
wednesday repentance zoom call. 2 PM Eastern USA
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Is it in your heart to share repentance with others? This eleven minute video on our NDR You Tube channel is one way to do that: https://youtu.be/0z4gf4TQejQ
