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

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