Every summer Crissy, Josh and I  take our family vacation to Florida. We go in the summer because Josh is still in High School and summer break is the only time that we can leave for an extended time. The thing about Florida in the summer time is this...IT'S HOT! Really hot. It's  humid and sticky. If you want to enjoy a theme park you have to add to it 50,000 people crammed  together. It gets even hotter in more ways than just temperature due to all of the surroundings. I guess after nearly fourteen years of doing this, we have tried to get accustomed to the heat. There is one thing about this whole "experience" that seems to be missing from the resort commercials, vacation flyers, and travel agent sales pitches. They inform you of the "tropical experience," but usually fail to inform you of the "tropical heat" that comes with it. In the pictures you see a perfect family with tropical shirts, perfect hair, and non-wrinkled clothing. But you never see a family that's hot, tired, sweaty, and looks beat after a humid day at Disney World in those advertisements.

 

 

 

So what happens is people who have never been to Florida arrive and seek for the "tropical experience" not realizing that with it comes "tropical heat." What am I trying to say? This is a great comparison to people in the church who desire a revival and fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They want the whole "experience" but fail to understand that with it comes the heat. Holy Ghost heat! This heat  burns away sin, rebellion, compromise, and unfruitful behavior. It is also uncomfortable at times. Just like the sales pitches for summer tropical get-a-ways, we think that a fresh and fiery outpouring of God is all smiles, unwrinkled lives, and bright colors. What we fail to realize is that in order for God's fire to flow "from us" that it must first burn "in us." This all means that life will get very hot and very uncomfortable.

 

I have been a Senior Pastor for nearly fifteen years and this has become all too familiar. Most people want the revival "experience" without the personal heat that comes with it. As soon as God starts purging, refining, convicting, and cleansing most people run because of the heat. This is sad and it breaks my heart.

 

Let me ask you a question today. Do you really want revival? A revival that comes with personal heat or are you just seeking out an "experience?" Your answer will determine whether it will really happen in your life or not. My hope is that you will endure the heat so that you can enjoy the true revival experience. According to God's Word He desires this very thing for you.

 

Pastor Dennis

 

 

pastorthcog@wmconnect.com

 

 

"It's Getting Hot Around Here!"