Asbury University

Asbury University held a modern-day revival. This college is in Wilmore, Kentucky, USA. It is a Christian university. They started on February 8^th, 2023, and ended on February 23^rd, 2023.

Here is a link that details the event https://www.asbury.edu/outpouring/ 

I wanted to share this with you because God uses the Holy Spirit to expand Christ’s Gospel. We know the world rejects Christ, and Satan uses colleges to separate humanity from God. But Asbury University held firm on God’s word and wasn’t ashamed to share Jesus’s Deity.

Two Christian Responses

One website I use is https://christianwriters.com/

Someone posted a thread to discuss the event.

Here is the thread link:

https://christianwriters.com/threads/have-you-heard-about-the-revival-going-on-at-asbury-university.23443/

Reading through the responses and thinking about the different outlooks brought me to Matthew 23:2-3. 

The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. (NASB)

We know Christ exposed the Pharisees as hypocrites (Matthew 23:13-36). He told the Jews to listen to their message. Jesus acknowledges their biblical understanding but warns them about their self-righteous behavior.

If you visited the thread, some people highlighted biblical scriptures, ranging from caution to approval.

Two responders boldly shared their outlooks.

One took a stance of caution, heightening 1 John 4:1.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (NASB)

In this scripture, John tells us to test the spirits, and it aligns itself with Jesus’s warning about following false teachers Matthew 7: 21-23.

Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform any miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (NASB)

The other responder held firm on using the Asbury Revival as a testimony to the workings of the Holy Spirit. This person reminds us of Apostle Paul’s take on sharing Christ’s Gospel.

Paul said:

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospelthe former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment.What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18, NASB)

Did you notice Paul rejoices in both circumstances? Sharing Jesus’s Gospel out of selfish ambition isn’t good but produces joy for Christ’s Deity. In these four verses, Paul shows us how God works in all circumstances (Romans 8:28).

My Outlook

My outlook on this modern-day revival is one of approval. I didn’t attend the event, but reading and seeing the participants rejoicing in Jesus’s name brought tears to my eyes.

It brings me tremendous excitement to watch God use people in this way.

Watching a gathering of believers show Him glory through publicly sharing in Christ’s truth motivates me. My heart bursts out with love for the advancement of God’s kingdom, and I meditate on ways I can do the same.

I don’t know the organizers’ hearts, but they took action and offered a place for worshipping God. They didn’t fold under the world’s relentless attacks on Jesus. No, Christ gave them the strength and courage to overcome worldly rejection.

In fact, more people arrived each day of the event to join in with the revival. Thousands of people from other towns drove or flew to this glorious Christian gathering. Some came from other countries. Their attendance proves God isn’t dead and Christ’s Spirit is alive and well.

In the USA, a reprobate mindset has taken over. It shows itself in the governing body at the federal and state levels. Yet, God used this revival to show His consciousness. He brought attention to His undeniable word.

I’m grateful. God saved me, placed me in Christ, and anointed me with the Holy Spirit. He allowed me to connect with other followers, and this revival showed me hope for humanity. I’m thankful Christ crossed my path with the Asbury Revival!

Closing Thoughts

As shown above, this revival brought different reactions. Indeed, it sparked a conversation about God and Christ. These two responders may disagree about the motive behind this revival. However, it shows people coming together to praise God for His gift of Jesus.

I would love to hear your voice on the two responders’ outlook.