How Is the Holy Spirit Moving?
In these days the Holy Spirit is moving in ways that I haven't seen or experienced in thirty-five years of following Christ and twenty years as a church leader.
Here are a few of my observations: It's not dramatic or sensational. There's not a lot of falling over, strange manifestations, big crusades, or Christian TV cameras. It's simply characterized by people turning to Christ, recognizing their need for God, leaving their old life of sin behind, and coming in repentance and faith to Jesus.
There's no well-known pastor or leader heading it up. It's happening in local churches and ordinary places across the globe. There's only one main attraction: Jesus.
God is calling his people back to the basics: holiness, reverence, a fear of the Lord, prayer, worship, the Word, baptism, communion, authentic community, compassion, and reaching the lost.
There's no particular place or movement at the forefront. It's not like Toronto or Pensacola where everyone congregated in one place. It's happening in local churches, family homes, high schools and colleges, small communities, beaches, bible studies, sports clubs, etc.
The Water Level Is Rising
The water level is rising slowly. The manifest, tangible presence of God is gradually increasing. Like the vision in Ezekiel 47, we are moving from ankle deep to knee deep to waist deep. Soon we will be fully submerged in the Spirit. (Photo via Unsplash)
"As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross." (Ezekiel 47:3–5 NIV)
A Righteous Shift in This Generation
There's a particular shift happening among younger generations, especially young men. They are looking for more than this world offers. They want a challenge. They want absolutes. They want more than shallow pleasure. They want a cause to live for and even to die for.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6 NIV)
We shouldn't be too quick to define or label this current move of God. If we try to control it, we are going to miss it. Let the Holy Spirit lead. And we definitely shouldn't be too quick to write it off or criticize it. Just because it doesn't look like what we have experienced in the past, or what we expect "revival" to look like, doesn't mean it isn't God.
We like to talk about God doing a "new thing," but too often we expect it to look like the old thing. Throw away all of your preconceptions.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:8 NIV) (Photo via Unsplash)
"Open Your Eyes and Look at the Fields"
It's leading to significant growth within the church. Almost every church I know has seen a marked increase in salvations, baptisms, and weekly attendance at worship services. In the past this was mostly transfer growth. While there's still some of that, there's definitely much more conversion growth. The lost and prodigals are coming home.
"Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35 NIV)
God comes where he is wanted. It seems that the only precondition for God moving is a hunger and desperation in our hearts and a dissatisfaction with church and life as usual. The religious and self-satisfied simply won't understand what's happening and will probably seek to diminish it.
Raise your expectations. It's easy to become a little cynical when we hear about a fresh move of God. Like many others, I've been praying for revival for decades. In that time there's been a lot of disappointment, and even disillusionment. However, we must remember that seeds faithfully sown over many years will eventually produce a harvest. God's law of sowing and reaping never fails. Wouldn't it be such a travesty if we missed what God is doing now because our faith is tainted by disappointments from our past?
"The seventh time the servant reported, 'A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea'..." (1 Kings 18:44 NIV)
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Craig Cooney
HOPE Church | Daily Prophetic
Email:Â contactdailyprophetic@gmail.com
Website:Â dailyprophetic.com
Craig Cooney has been in ordained ministry for over fifteen years, leading churches in the north and south of Ireland. He is married to Becky, and they have a son named Elijah, as well as a labradoodle puppy named Henry. Craig is the author of four books: "The Tension of Transition," "SPIRIT SPEAK," "I Hear Yahweh," and "When the Lamb Roars." His passion is to help Believers to hear God's voice for themselves and apply God's wisdom as they navigate through the transitions of life.
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