Day 5: Chiropractic Adjustment

Thursday, January 21st, 2016
Revive FLORIDA

I'm really loving the morning prayer time at Revive! It starts with worship, followed by a short devotional and then we pray -- sometimes individually  -- sometimes in groups -- sometimes both!

This morning, however,  it went into overtime for me.  It seems God scheduled Himself a one-on-one appointment with me, and forgot to tell me in advance.

Surprise!

I couldn't move a muscle! When everyone left to go to breakfast, I just sat there in my seat, eyes closed, head bowed, totally overwhelmed by the presence of God and weeping profusely. I tried a few times to get up and go, but it just wasn't happening.


God had my undivided attention.  It seemed as if everyone had left the sanctuary, but I can't be sure. All I know is that we were having a very private meeting of utmost importance.

"There's someone I want you to meet."  He said.

"He'll find you in the Revival.  Fill in an application."

Suddenly, I saw a very clear picture in my mind.  I was standing in a chiropractor's office, all crooked and bent over.  The chiropractor quickly adjusted me and I was on my way, -- happy as a lark, standing straight and tall, pain-free.

"I'm adjusting your path!" said The LORD.

He reminded me of Proverbs 3:5-6.  I love that because it's important to me to have scriptural support on such matters.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him

and He will direct your path."

I've studied and taught on that scripture many times.
It's one of my favorites.  Other translations says it this way...

"He will make your path straight."

or 

"He will straighten out your path!"

That's what I call a confirming Word! The scripture supports the vision. Together, it's His way of  guiding me -- showing me where to go! We were going one way, but now He's preparing me to go in a new direction. My job is to acknowledge His divine leadership, submit to His instruction and follow His lead.

"The steps of a righteous man are ordered  by the LORD!" 

(Psalm 37:23)

The New Living Translation says it this way...

"The LORD directs the steps of the godly.  

He delights in every detail of their lives."

He establishes, orchestrates, conducts and oversees the details of our life's journey.  

Whether you turn to the right or the left, 

your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 

"This is the way, walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Fill in an application?  I know He means with Revive. Wait a minute! I have lots of questions, but The LORD refuses to go into any details at this time.

He just keeps saying the same thing 
over and over:  

"Fill in an application."

It was a long time before I could get up off my seat.  Needless to say, there was no hot breakfast for me, but God gave me plenty to chew on! There were several awesome encounters that day. Nothing comes close to that unexpected appointment with God, but I have to tell you about Dee all the same.

While out and about with my Revive Team: Wendy, Chelsey and Joshua, our driver had a strong sense to turn into a mobile home park.  We followed that prompting and immediately came upon a woman, sitting in her front yard with her little dog.

We pulled over to chat awhile and she more than welcomed our visit. We quickly discovered that she was a praying woman, but time was no longer on her side.  She was ailing and it wasn't so easy for her to get around anymore.  We quickly moved into prayer and God made it clear to us -- with a Word of Knowledge -- that Dee needed to forgive some people.

Unforgiveness had her bound
 in more ways than she knew.

Once again, time stood still.  We loved, listened, broke out some scriptures, shared some testimonies, held her hands and delivered God's Words of wisdom and instruction.  Then we prayed -- all of us, including  Dee who let go of some strong resentments.

I couldn't believe it!  Repentance was happening 

right there in the middle of the mobil home park.  

It was glorious to see her set free!   

With each step, Dee's appearance began to change. We prayed some pretty heavy duty prayers on that lawn.  By the time we were done, our new friend was filled with the joy of the LORD and eager to get a closer look at what Revive was doing. We packed Dee into the van and brought her with us to the church to our Testimonial Lunch.  She was overjoyed to get out of her house and into the House of the LORD where so much was happening.  God blessed her to overflowing!

Some encounters seem more fruitful than others, but I've learned to never underestimate what God is doing.

Most of the time when you think He's doing nothing, 

that's when He's doing everything. 

Sometimes our goals are not aligned with His.  We're looking to harvest and He's planting seeds. Or we're looking for healing and He just wants to love people -- His way.  I look at it like this -- He knows everything about everyone.  That's why His plan is always right.  I don't know anything about anyone.  And even if I do know something, it's not everything.  That's why I just have to trust that God knows exactly what He's doing.  

I choose to believe every encounter has a divine purpose 

and that God's got it all under control.

At nightfall, I was back at The Harvest for our group dinner.  As I walked in the dining area, I scanned the room, looking for a friendly face.  I was tired from the action of the day and just wanted to relax.  Of all the people in the room, one lady in particular lit up. As quiet as she was, she just stood out amongst the crowd.

I made my way to the table and sat across from her, smiling and making some small talk.  Suddenly a thought crossed  my mind.  I remembered God's instruction to "fill in an application."   The Revive Team had announced there was a meeting coming up to discuss their Missionary Program and pick up applications.  Randomly, I asked the woman if she remembered hearing that announcement and if she knew when that was taking place.  

"It's tomorrow."  she remarked with a smile. "Why do you ask?"

I shared with her a little bit of my God-Encounter that morning and how I felt compelled to fill in an ap.

"What's holding you back?"  she asked.

"Well I want to make sure that they can use me where I'm gifted."  I responded.

"What is it you do?" she inquired.

"I'm a writer." I said.

Next thing I know, she's telling me she's the director of that program and that they just added the role of "Writer" to their job descriptions, last month.

Was I set up or what?

I love when God does that! How can I even question what He's doing?  Isn't it obvious?  That said,  I'll make it a point to get myself to that meeting!  

It's been a long, wonderful day,

Gail

Day 4: The Babushka

Wednesday, January 20th, 2016
Revive FLORIDA

Once again, I was up before the sun -- getting dressed and out the door to the morning prayer meeting with Revive. I don't like having to get up this early. I'm not used to it, but none of that matters because I'm committed. -- Committed to HIM. -- Committed to the cause. -- And committed to being a part of this move of God in my community. I'm not going to miss out on what could be a major event in my life, just because my flesh likes to stay in bed a little longer.  My flesh is just going to have to submit!

There's something awesome about stepping into a sanctuary at 7 a.m. and experiencing the tangible presence of God. Tangible means you can touch it!  It's real!  Is it because it's so early in the morning that the world isn't able to infiltrate the atmosphere yet? I don't know all the logistics.
I just know that God was there waiting for us -- waiting for me!

Jon Russell was 
strumming his acoustic.

Voices echoed in praise!

Heaven came down 

and kissed our faces.

What a way to start the day!

After breakfast and a time of training, we broke into groups to go visit local churches and pray blessing over them. Before taking off, each group spent time in prayer asking God for guidance. In my prayer huddle, one of the guys had a vision. In his mind, he perceived an image of a very old lady with some sort of hat pulled down over her head. She was weathered and worn. He said he'd never experienced anything quite like this, but he was overtaken by the idea that God wanted to heal the old woman.

Okay!  God works in mysterious ways. 

We all agreed to keep his vision in mind. We piled into our car and took off to the church listed on our map. Upon arrival, we found ourselves at a little Menonite chapel with a Christian school attached. The kids had been playing on the playground and were heading back inside to return to their studies. As our team parked and got out of the car, another team came over to us and said they had mistakenly come to this church instead of the one down the road.  They had already prayed with the school principal and were heading out. They were hoping we'd go visit the other church.

We were fine with that, so we turned and headed back to our car.  As we started the motor,  Lowayne suddenly spoke up from the back seat, "Hey wait a minute, there's the old lady I saw when we were praying -- The one God wants to heal!"


"Really?" I responded.

"There she is! -- The one with the scarf on her head."  
He announced with excitement. "I can't believe it -- 
it's her!" 

I looked over to where he was pointing and saw a little babushka woman and her husband.

"Let's go then!" I urged.

We all got out of the car 

and the adventure began.

While I grabbed the bag filled with Bibles,  Lowayne, Casey and Darin approached the elderly couple and  engaged in conversation. They were the gardeners of the church property. At first they were a little quiet and hesitant. As I came into the circle I looked at Lowayne and asked out loud, "Did you tell our friend here that you saw her face in prayer this morning and God told you He wanted to heal her?"

I looked into the old woman's face and smiled. Something melted right then and there. The Holy Spirit was already at work. Slowly, she began to open up and share. Yes! there were prayer needs -- many! We spent the next twenty minutes or so huddled in a circle interceding on her behalf.  When we finished, I turned to hug her and something very interesting happened. -- I felt her break in my arms.

In that moment, she let go of all the cares 

that were weighing her down and

God ushered them off the property.

"Please!"  she whispered as tears streamed down her face.
"Pray for my husband. He needs strength."  

I looked around the circle at my crew and stopped at the old man's wrinkled face.

"Would you like prayer too?" I asked. "Prayer for renewal and strength?"
He nodded affirmatively.

The guys huddled around, laid their hands on his shoulders and began to intercede. A holy boldness came upon us and we prayed down a blessing - complete with the anointing of God.

I don't know what to tell you.  

It was like a moment frozen it time. 

It seemed as if all the world stopped while God bent down and met the specific needs of this little Christian couple, who faithfully -- even in their old age -- labored on the church property, raking leaves and pulling weeds for God. I stepped back and took the whole thing in. This Mr. & Mrs. suddenly looked as if they were ten years younger. Their faces glowed. Their smiles were like the smiles of children, surpassing all the cares of the world. They were refreshed, renewed -- their
countenances totally transformed.

Before I knew it we were driving off in the car and they were waving goodbye. If that wasn't enough, it got even better. As we drove Lowayne home, we discovered that this Christian brother lived a rather quiet life. Visions like this were certainly not a part of his repertoire.

God could have given anyone of us that vision,

 but no... He gave it to the one person in the group 

who was the most unlikely person to embrace such a thing.  

With that, we were convinced -- beyond a shadow of a doubt -- that God, Himself was in our midst -- leading and guiding us to specific people with a specific purpose in mind. I believe that's what they call Divine Appointments.

There were more encounters as the day went on. We
stopped for coffee at Duncan Donuts and prayed with
several men and woman -- young and old. It's wonderful
to see how open individuals are to receive public prayer.
I get the impression that many are sick and tired of
 keeping God in the closet. Today, they embraced the
HOPE that was presented to them!

They weren't afraid to bow their heads,

 close their eyes and receive a blessing from God.   
They welcomed it!

Later in afternoon, I teamed up with another group:  Jim, Joel and Teresa. We found ourselves in a local college cafe and happened upon a young Russian girl. We weren't chatting long before we discovered that this beautiful, young, nursing student was a Christian, desperately in need of prayer -- both for healing and for her studies. We gathered around a table, held hands and prayed for God to move in her life.

She was so uplifted and excited that God

had found her in the midst of her turmoil. 

As we left, I couldn't help but notice her smile and confidence as she went in the other direction to rejoin her friend and study. She texted me later, thankful that our paths had crossed, promising to pray now for us, as we continue our outreach into the community.

It never ceases to amaze me  

just how personal God can be. 

 2 Chronicles 16:9b  says...

"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth 

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

Today, it was evident that God saw the babushka and her husband, as well as the nursing student  (and who knows how many others.) -- He purposely reached down and touched them in their need.    

Don't you see?  

That's because HE's committed, too!  

Revive FLORIDA is a a Partnership Project. He's committed to us! He's committed to the cause of loving people!  He's committed to pouring out HIS heart in this city!

I love that! And that's why there will be no further discussion about the difficulties of getting up before sunrise!

In this together,
Gail

Day 3: The Recipe

Tuesday, January 19th, 2016
Revive FLORIDA

PRAYER, PARNERSHIP and POSSE

Due to a prior ministry commitment, my time today with Revive was limited to the morning prayer meeting and the evening service.  In between, I could be found where I am every Tuesday -- at The BonFire.  This multi-denominational group of about 70 Christian women from all over Sarasota meets faithfully to honor God with their highest praise, hear from His Word and move in the flow of the Holy Spirit.  That said, you never know what’s going to happen at The BonFire.

Bonnie Joy Kelley -- founder and director -- is gung-ho for Revive Florida!  She appointed our sister, Jana Martin, to keep the Bonfire ladies up to speed on the Revive schedule and many have chosen to participate. Off the top of my head, I can think of 16+ BonFire gals, who have joined Revive teams -- hitting the streets and sharing the Gospel message:  

Jana, Rhonda, Nicole, Ann, Marti, Iris, Connie, Renee, Christine, 

Wendy, Nancy, Barb, Ashleigh, Bonnie W., Marisa, Jan and Trudi.

Others attend services when they can and volunteer in the kitchen -- preparing and serving food.  Many have opened their homes for Revive staff, missionaries and partners who have come from all over the United States to help train local teams. Bonnie even has ladies praying and interceding, daily, at 10 am and 2 pm, for fruit to come forth from all of our evangelistic endeavors. How great is that? 

PRAYER – “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the  Spirit to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (Romans 15:30)

I covet those prayers!  

I’m a firm believer that nothing happens without prayer first.  Just as God spoke and creation came into existence, when Believers speak out in prayer, things happen!
I even had personal pray-ers backing me:  Bonnie, Peg D., Brother Leroy, Mary Ann, Mama Nancy & Peggy M. all interceded for me daily as I went out to win the lost.  
Surely they have reaped the Harvest with me!

PARTNERSHIP -- Jesus said, “…apart from me you can do nothing.” 

(John 15:5b NIV)

The world is not won to Christ by mere human effort. No! It takes a lot more than good soul-winning tactics and techniques. It's God -- The Father -- who opens the doors of people’s hearts and draws them to Christ.  (John 6:44)  Only His GREAT LOVE can melt such fortresses of stone.   

With that in mind, we are totally depending on the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit as we step out to love the world.  He’s the Leader.  We’re the followers!  We show up and go where He says to go.  We do what He says to do.  A successful harvest comes no other way!  Not to mention, when we reach out to hug someone, it’s His Love that runs through us.

POSSE -- "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all it’s many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV)

If there’s one thing 

that’s evident, 

revival requires 

a TEAM!

Every part – great, small and in between is crucial for success!  Yes, the goal is to build relationships, win the lost and disciple new believers, but you can’t credit the success of all that only to those who go out on the streets praying and witnessing.  That’s only a small part of this huge, divine undertaking.

The level of volunteerism has blown me away!  I’ve never seen such willingness, humility and dedication.  Hidden to many are massive amounts of people who consistently show up, day after day, directing traffic, setting up meeting areas, preparing meals, cleaning bathrooms and more.  Someone makes the coffee every morning.  People stay late to clean up after the evening service.  Someone shuts out the lights and locks the doors at night.  Teams of helpers prepare materials, check people in and out,  pack up Bible bags, drive cars, answer questions, update websites, videotape and record.  There’s all sorts of admin, prayer, tech crews, ministry teams and we haven’t even touched on the vast array of worship troupes that usher in the presence of God every morning, noon  and night.
  

There are countless people, 
behind the scenes, 

making it all come together.

And let's not forget the "Disciplers."  Well over a hundred people have agreed to meet with new believers every week for a year -- to love them, answer questions and to take them under their wings -- teaching them the ways of the LORD.  For everyone dedicating their life to Christ, there must be someone who's willing to disciple them.  Christians, young and old, male and female have stepped up to the plate to fill those vital, mentoring roles.

God told me that He absolutely loves 

when Christians operate as a Posse!  

That just makes Daddy smile!  He couldn’t be more happy. It makes me smile too!  I'm glad to be a part of this great team and I applaud all those who so faithfully show up, giving their all for the Kingdom.  That's how it's done!

Till tomorrow,
Gail

Day 2: A Tidal Wave!

Monday, January 18^th, 2016 
Revive FLORIDA

I did something today that I rarely do.  I got up, showered, dressed and hit the road before sunrise.  That’s right!  As I was en route to the Revive FL Morning Prayer Meeting, I saw the sun come up and with it I heard the LORD’s voice...

“I won’t disappoint you, Gail.

 It’s going to be even better than you imagine!”

After a time of prayer, breakfast and instruction, we broke up into our first set of teams.  This was all new to me, but people who had done this before in other U.S. cities had come to Florida to lead the teams and teach us how it’s done.  Our first assignment was to head out to Peace Presbyterian in Bradenton and ask how we could pray for them.  When we arrived, there was no one there, so the four of us gathered together at the front door of the church and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we prayed a powerful blessing upon it.

As we drove home, I couldn’t help but tell these new friends of mine some of the stories I had heard about people who had come to Sarasota because God told them a revival was coming.  One in particular, I had already told several times that very day.  It was the vision that brought Pastor Scott Young from Canada to Sarasota  in 1996 to start a church, now known as Church of Hope.

When I came to Sarasota 15 years ago, Pastor Scott was the first person my family connected with upon our arrival.  He shared with us the vision God had given him. 

In the Spirit, he saw a massive tidal wave coming upon the shore of Siesta Key Beach.  The Lord told him a revival was coming to Sarasota and that he was to go ahead of it and start a church there. 

 I never forgot that.

En route back to Harvest, our driver saw Church of Hope and detoured into the parking lot.  We drove around the circumference praying in unity for blessing.  When we came up the side, I noticed some cars parked and asked my team to let me out for a minute.  I felt compelled to tell Pastor Scott how I had shared his vision already with so many people.  (After all, it is his vision.)  Pastor Scott wasn’t available, but I shared my excitement with his wife Darla and daughter, Holly, who are both on staff there.  They remembered the vision well.

"It’s here!" I shouted.

"The revival God showed him is finally here!"

With the afternoon, came new teams and a new assignment.  This time we hit the road with the intention of praying for people.  My team leader was bold and daring.  Before I knew it, we had pulled over and introduced ourselves to a young woman accompanied by her two younger brothers, pushing a baby carriage.  We told her we were out in the neighborhood praying for people and asked if she had a prayer request.  She did!  I was amazed at how quickly she opened up and shared her personal needs with us.  Next thing you know, she was holding her baby in her arms and we were blessing the child before God.  She was so appreciative of the prayers.  Her spirit was truly uplifted. 

Time was short, so we said our goodbyes.  She wasn’t ready to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior, but it was a wonderful interaction all the same.With that, we headed back for dinner and attended an inspirational worship service. 

What a great day!  I was challenged, but I was excited.  There was definitely some room for growth on my part, but I was confident that Revive would fully equip me and in time I’d have this evangelistic method down pat and able to lead a team of my own.  Already I had met tons of new friends.  Their excitement and enthusiasm was electrifying!

I just knew I was meant to be 
in this moment of time!

It was a good first day on the streets!

- Gail

Day 1: The Kickoff

Sunday, January 17^th, 2016, 6pm.  That’s when Revive FLORIDA officially started.  All I did was show up.   I had no idea that God was about to pour out a blessing on my life that I could barely contain. 

Winning the lost to Christ 
would no longer be a dream, 
but a reality.

Of course I’d led people to Christ in my 33 years as a Christian, but not nearly as many as I had hoped for.  More often than not, I suppose it always seemed so complicated -   so awkward - so Jehovah's Witness -  ya know?   Sure, I had learned, over the years,  different methods -- The Roman Road and Evangelism Explosion, to name a few, but they took some time to really get up to speed with and I never seemed to be able to sustain those methodologies in my everyday, normal life. They came and they went and so did my soul-winning.

It's funny how the LORD prepares you for things.  About a week ago, I drove by a parking lot on Fruitville Road where I had led a woman to Christ several years back.  The LORD reminded me of how special that moment was for the woman.  In fact, not long ago, she tracked me down and left a message on my phone stating how blessed she was to have found her faith that night in a parking lot of all places. As I smiled with contentment, I heard the LORD whisper this in my ear:

"That’s why I want you to show up for Revive FLORIDA. 

Many will give their lives to Christ and

I don’t want you to miss out on that!"

 If that weren’t enough coaxing from God, a few days later, just prior to Revive’s Kickoff event, I was out in my neighborhood walking when suddenly a vision flashed in my head.  It was a picture similar to something I’d seen a long time ago – 33 years to be exact. 

When I gave my life to Christ in 1983, 

God gave me a vision for the lost.  

Like a movie playing in my mind, He showed me a long line of people coming around a mountain and stopping at the foot of a small wooden bridge.  One by one, the person at the head of the line would step forward, climb up onto the side of the bridge and jump off into a deep abyss.  Standing nearby, I waved my arms in the air, calling to the people, shouting… 


“Stop!  You don’t have to jump!  Let me tell you about Jesus!  He will save you!”  

I was crushed and heartbroken that no one came, but ...

God told me to never stop calling out to people.  

He said every once in awhile, 

someone would come to hear what I had to say.

This day, however, while walking around the neighborhood, the vision was a little different.  I was standing at the head of another line -- this time facing all the people.  One by one each person stepped up to me, we held hands and I led them in the Prayer of Salvation.  WOW!  I couldn’t stop thinking about that  -- especially knowing that Revive FLORIDA was just days away.  I had to wonder, "Was this a preview of what was coming?" Then it dawned on me...   Regardless of this great vision,          

I wasn't going to lead anyone to Christ

if I didn't show up!        

        
The kickoff service was amazing.  My home church, The Harvest  was filled to overflowing, yet I didn’t know most of the people.  They had come from churches all over Sarasota, as well as from other states where Revive had previously been.  Something really unusual happened that night in the midst of worship. It was so powerful, I will never forget it.   Quite unexpectedly, I began to weep and a warm joy, that I had never experienced before, flooded my heart.

“What is THAT?”  I exclaimed to the LORD.

“That’s what UNITY feels like.”  He responded.

“That’s what happens when the Body of Christ drops their theological differences and traditions to win souls for the Kingdom.”

With that, I remembered a powerful Word that had been spoken in my church about a year earlier…

"Unity is the Heartbeat of God!"

I’d never experienced such a thing before – not in such full measure.  It was wonderful seeing the Amish, Mennonites, Brethren, Baptists, Charismatics, Pentecostals, Non-denominationals, Catholics and more - all together worshipping God. I loved that feeling!  It was the feeling of a FULL heart.   I had to believe that God was pleased – and we really haven't even gotten started yet.

That sealed it for me!  Right then and there, 

I was ALL in -- FULLY committed -- READY to give 100%

Who wouldn’t want to be a part of THAT?

All for Jesus!

Gail