I believe our nation is on the precipice of some tough times.
I also believe we may be close to a fourth Great Awakening.
An awakening is when people whose hearts are “dead” to Christ and His Kingdom and in love with their “trespasses and sins” are made alive by the Spirit of God, “awakening” them to new life in Christ.
In America's history, such revivals have swept our nation three times, transforming lives and culture.
The Great Awakening (1735 - 1740 AD)
The Second Great Awakening (1795-1835 AD)
The Third Great Awakening (1855-1930 AD)
Could a Fourth Great Awakening be on the horizon in 2024?
Back in the Saddle
Rachelle and I spent time out of the country this month. We returned to DFW Airport on April 21. Rachelle flew home to Enid from DFW for her work, and I drove south to a beautiful ranch northwest of Houston to teach a weeklong conference on I Corinthians 13.
This week has given me hope for impending revival in America.
Leading financial advisors from all over America came to the ranch for spiritual renewal. None of the participants were “in vocational Christian ministry,” but everyone had hearts open to Jesus.
LOVE
I taught on agape love this week.
In the English language, we have the one-word LOVE.
I love my dog.
I love my family.
I love the Dallas Cowboys.
I love ice cream.
I love my wife.
Etc….
But in the Bible, there are four words translated as LOVE:
PHILEO means “friendship.” Philadelphia, the city of “brotherly love,” comes from this word.
STORGE means “family love” and describes the bonds of family members.
EROS means “sexual attraction.” We get our English word erotica from this Greek word. Sadly, most Americans think EROS is love, but as someone has rightly said:
EROS comprises two consonants, two vowels, and two fools.
AGAPE is the word for love used in I Corinthians 13. It is God’s kind of love for us. It means, at its root, “to give” and is the action side of grace. Grace means “favor to the undeserving.”
AGAPE LOVE is actively giving tangible favors to the undeserving.
16 Characteristics of Agape LOVE
1. Patient – Agape love is even-tempered and endures trying circumstances.
2. Kind – Agape love is warm-hearted, considerate, gentle, and sympathetic.
3. Not envious – Agape love does not desire another’s advantage but celebrates it.
4. Not boastful – Agape love does not exhibit self-importance to others.
5. Not arrogant – Agape love is not haughty or considers others inferior.
6. Not rude – Agape love does not behave dishonorably toward others.
7. Not self-absorbed – Agape love is not consumed by personal desires.
8. Not irritable – Agape love is not stirred up emotionally to act negatively.
9. Not resentful – Agape love does not exhibit morally objectionable behavior.
10. Does not record wrongs – Agape love will not keep a tally of another’s sins.
11. Rejoices in Truth – Agape love feels happiness and joy in uprightness.
12. Bears all things – Agape love endures the pleasant and the unpleasant.
13. Believes all things – Agape love applies to trust and faith in another’s words.
14. Hopes in all things – Agape love expects and wishes the best for others.
15. Endures all things – Agape love withstands everything with courage.
16. Never fails – Agape love never suffers defeat and endures forever.
AGAPE love is the only kind of love that is magnetic. It draws people in.
“We love (agape) Jesus because He first loved (agape) us.” I John 4:19
For revival to come to our homes, churches, and nation, we whom Jesus loves must first grasp His infinite agape love and then let that love flow through us to others.
Consider whether you’re displaying these sixteen characteristics of love to those around you.
This week, I got a taste of the power of agape love. It gives me hope for our country.
Miss you Wed @ OCPAC
And what a week it was! Agape filled the ranch and Wade’s teaching was POWERFUL!