I was walking through our city today, observing the city vibe, watching the people, praying for the city and asking the Lord, “Is anyone hungry and thirsty for the Lord?”
I met Howard today who came here in the 60s. He loves this town, but is worried it has lost its soul. I heard about someone spending 4200.00 dollars a night for a small little box hotel room in town. I heard about all the big names coming to the big concert tonight where they are constantly having to expand the VIP area and make it even more exclusive. I have seen big changes in the last 24 years. Aspen is an amazing place. It has a very unique history, but there is one piece of history I hope and pray will change.
Aspen has never had a move of God here – a revival. What does that mean? It means a special outpouring of God’s presence and grace in conjunction with the prayers of God’s people. It is where heaven opens and the curtain is pulled back on all the lies and false promises of Vanity Fair. I know, I bet your response is similar to mine, “In Aspen, really, is that possible?”
In Ephesians 3:20-21, Paul is overcome with the possibilities of what God would do through a church that takes serious God’s desire to bring His glory through the fullness of Christ to a church. When a local church gets consumed with the glory of God and experiencing the fullness of Christ it will truly be salt and light in its community and beyond. It will get heaven’s attention to bring kingdom of God realities into the church and city so that people’s heart are supernaturally opened up to God. Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is clear and piercing deep into hearts bringing conviction and love of God.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21
I recently read about a famous revival (The Hebrides Revival) that came to a very small village in Scotland called Arnol, which is located on the Isle of Lewis. In the small village of only about 400 people there were two sisters in their eighties who would pray faithfully into the wee hours of the night. They petitioned their pastor to rally the troops in prayer, trusting that God was going to move. Faithful prayer and cries to God went on for years. Then, it happened. As many eyewitnesses have given testimony, one night the presence of God swept through the village so powerfully that it is said every household was shaken by God. In the years from about 1949-1952 God met people powerfully in this small little village in a remote part of Scotland. It is said that people came under the conviction of the Spirit as they walked through the streets of the village and then found their way to a church meeting and the freedom of the Gospel.
Can what happened in Arnol happen in Aspen? Will you pray with me?
Lord, I know that our town for many reasons is the least likely to see revival. In its long history You have not moved across this city. But, we are crying out to You. Hear our prayers and come Lord Jesus. Father, would You do something here that is beyond anything we could even ask or imagine. Awaken Your Church, awaken this city. O Lord, let this city be a place people come to encounter You and be sent out by You. Stir up the heavenlies and stir up people’s hearts to want more than Vanity Fair. Make us hunger for Jesus and the eternal Celestial City. In Jesus name Amen.
“The Kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”
– Matthew 11:12
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