Last week J. Lee Grady shared an interview with Ruth Ruibal, the widow of Bolivian evangelist Julio Ruibal—who was known as the “apostle of the Andes.” Ruth described for us how the gospel transformed Bolivia in the 1970s. She offers some words of warning to the American church.
Charisma: What would you say to the American church today as we seek to pursue genuine revival?
Ruibal: We desperately need a revival today in the United States. I think most of us are in agreement with that. However, historical revivals start with repentance. We need to move beyond the generic needs of the church and become more personally involved in seeking His face. Once we see His holiness, we can truly repent.
We live in a day where much of the world has filtered into the church. Paul tells us that the last days are dangerous days, but it is not the same kind of danger as terrorism. The danger of the last days is man’s own heart, which is selfish, self-loving, self-gratifying, independent and disobedient. Man’s heart loves the Lord yet loves pleasure more. The last day people are a religious people (you can find them in church and Christian meetings!), but they deny the power to live the true Christian life.
The Word tells us that holiness is not an option. I am not referring to a list of dos and don’ts, but of the heart. When we come into His presence and see more of His holiness, we realize how unworthy and sinful we are and yet how great His love is. When we experience deep repentance, we can know His healing power—first to the inner man, then to the outer man.
We need to learn to seek Him for Himself and not what He can give us. Once we have our priorities right, once we really come to our knees in repentance, I do believe a revival will come and with signs and wonders that will follow. And the revival will affect all of society and heal our land as well.
True revival would change the direction of our nation. If we don’t have such a revival, I am afraid we are on our way to destruction. May God bless America and have mercy on her.
J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma. For more information about Julio C. Ruibal Ministries, go to ruibalministries.com. The Sentinel Group has produced a powerful video called Transformations I that profiles Julio and Ruth Ruibal’s work in Cali, Colombia. To order the video, go to sentinelgroup.org/dsg2087.asp. The video is available in five languages.
WERE YOU CHALLENGED BY THESE WORDS?
3 responses so far ↓
cornishevangelist // July 25, 2008 at 2:56 am |
Do Not Be Surprised
Do not be surprised when some church leaders do not accept you, for there has always been people who hold high positions in churches who speak evil of men and women of God.
Many of God’s people over the centuries have come up against people like that. We read in 3 John v 9 & 10, of an elder called Diotrophes, who with foolish and malicious words spoke evil of the Apostles and who would not receive them or their teachings.
He loved to have pre-eminence among the local church at that time, and if any did not obey him, he would have them thrown out of the church. Have things really changed today?
EVANGELIST BILLY BOLITHO
http://www.evangelistbillybolitho.blogspot.com
Min. Franklin D. Coleman // July 25, 2008 at 10:04 am |
This is so true. Especially in this day and time when God is revealing to His church body the hurt & errors of tradition. God is looking for that remnant that will walk with Him in truth. God is looking for His people to “come back” home.
Thanks for your comment.
Rev. Franklin D. Coleman, D.D.
http://www.pathoflifeministries.net
iworshiphere // July 25, 2008 at 1:47 pm |
The danger of the last days is man’s own heart, which is selfish, self-loving, self-gratifying, independent and disobedient. – this phrase really rings true. thanks for writing this!
pleasure to read some of yr posts, would you mind if we added you to our link, and likewise you adding us to yours?
blessings,
iworshiphere staff
ministries@iworshiphere.com