16 comments

Bill Elliff

I Have a Dream . . .

Posted on 01.07.13 by Bill Elliff

Originally titled “Before I Die,” this post was featured on March 25, 2011. It made our "Best of the last five years cut" because it’s our heart cry, too, here at True Woman and Revive Our Hearts.

If you resonate with this beautiful post, you’ll also enjoy watching Pastor Elliff’s True Woman ’12 message, “A Call to Revival.”

What’s your dream? Leave a comment below telling us about it, and we'll send one of you Ablaze With His Glory by Del Fehsenfeld Jr. (We’ll choose the winner at random on Wednesday, January 9.)

All of us have dreams. Some want a dream home complete with grass and a white picket fence. Others would love to have their dream job or dream car or dream vacation. 

I have a lot of dreams. Fueled by a few years of experiences and a passion for something transcendent, you don’t want to ask me about my dreams unless you have a full pot of coffee and a good bit of time. I’ll wear you out.

But, can I let you know just one? I dream of a mighty spiritual movement in this nation. Something that history would record—not just in human writing, but in heavenly records: A movement of God’s Spirit that overpowers our human frailty and our silly wineskins, a breath from the throne of heaven that brings the church to magnificent renewal. Where people can’t wait to get to prayer meetings and worship lasts all night. Where no musical instrument is needed because the fullness of human voices raised in genuine praise is more magnificent than the greatest symphony.

I dream of a day when the silly, stupid, worldly gods we vainly follow as believers are seen for what they are and gladly released. When the thought of wasting time in front of a television is so useless to believers that it’s passed over like stale bread. I dream of Acts 2. I dream of love that causes us to release every hold on our possessions—that the whole church in any given city is caring for the needs of each believer so there is literally “no more need” in the entire believing community.

I dream of a national revival in God’s church where whole towns are marked by one characteristic—the manifest presence of God. I see, from this reviving of God’s church, a spiritual awakening among those without Christ. Where society and culture is consumed and transformed in a tidal wave of spiritual momentum. Where people without Christ don’t have to be begged and persuaded to think about Christ but come running to God’s altars to beg for mercy and cleansing. Where Sunday morning is a continuation of gatherings that have happened every single weekday. Where every home becomes a sanctuary, every gathering a prayer meeting, every person a testimony and a messenger of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Where the gospel is almighty and carries everything before it.

If you think I’m a lunatic, go ahead. But I’m not just dreaming. This is my God’s desire, and He has done it before. Everything I’ve just described has happened, more than once, in American history. And our God is powerful enough to do it again. Even in spite of our sin and weakness, our fears and traditions. It seems fantastical to us, but it’s our lack of exposure to an experience of national revival and spiritual awakening that makes us so unbelieving.

That's one of my dreams and, I admit, the big one . . . and I’m not giving up on it until I die.

 

Comments

  1. I dream of healed relationships.
    posted by Margaret
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 9:28 am
  2. I dream of a safer world, where we can send our kids off to school and know they are safe...
    posted by Jody Arnold
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 9:59 am
  3. I too dream of a NATIONAL REVIVAL! Where people come to Christ & see Him for WHO he is! AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US!

    I DREAM that I will have a hand in TOUCHING OTHERS FOR CHRIST! (This dream I AM WORKING ON as we speak!) One person at a time...

    I dream of the day when Christ does MIGHTY MIRACLES among the people... HEALINGS of ALL SORTS! JUST LIKE in Biblical times! For the eyes to behold, lifting HIM UP!


    I dream of the day when there will be NO MORE PAIN, NO MORE SORROW, NO MORE POVERTY, NO MORE ANYTHING EVIL! THAT DAY will be the DAY OF HIS RETURN!!!!!!! COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS!!!!!!!!!! :)
    http://tladydesigns.blogspot.com/
    posted by Becky Green
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:15 am
  4. I echo this dream, knowing ALL things are possible with God! Let's continue to pray with one heart for revival!
    posted by kathy
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:20 am
  5. I dream of sinlessness.....and God stirring the hearts of His people to a great revival!
    posted by Gina Scott
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:54 am
  6. I dream of one day being at peace in my heart and really grasping the vision that God has for my life...I'd like to see myself like God sees me.
    posted by Jodi C.
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 11:05 am
  7. I could not possibly express that dream as eloquently as Pastor Elliff. But that certainly would transform our world into something that we, as Christians, can only DREAM about. But, I also think that revival has to precede us, as Christians, to start turning off that TV and surfing the internet and start getting on our knees and praying for this revival. We need to get that one foot out of the world and be single minded, so that the world will see us, as a body, committed to being servants and truly care about our lost friends, neighbors, and family. I personally think God would bless even a handful of committed believers that are all working and praying for that same goal. I know people are searching for something more, but they aren't seeing anything different in the churches right now than what they are already experiencing in their own little world of influence. I have heard that response first hand more than once and know that the CHURCH has got to offer the power of the Holy Spirit in action to make a difference.
    posted by Cindy Hartt
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 11:55 am
  8. I dream that all believers would have a passion to know God, love Him, and be faithful to Him
    posted by Patricia Armitage
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 11:59 am
  9. I, too, dream of National Revival...true revival--repentance and lives surrendered to God's lordship.
    posted by Leah
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 1:12 pm
  10. What a dream! I love it. I have been challenged to have a "Big Dream" ever since going to Haiti in the summer of 2010. The young people there who are training to be pastors and leaders humbled me with their big dreams for revival to spread across their area and their nation, despite the fact that they have very limited resources. It encouraged me to have a "Big Dream" of my own, which the Lord continues to refine as I seek Him more and grow closer to Him. However, the big idea behind this Big Dream is Revival - revival in the hearts and lives of women around me and around the world; revival in marriages and homes; revival in our nation; revival in nations across the globe. Our hearts need revived by the Lord, and I believe that as His servant I am sent as His ambassador to be a part of this in whatever opportunities the Lord gives me.

    Praise Him for the men and women that He is raising up to be a part of this!
    www.agirlsjourneywithGod.blogspot.com
    posted by Molly Sipling
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 1:16 pm
  11. I have a dream that one day soon my beautiful 15 year old granddaughter would became confinced that God is real and that she can have a personal relationship with Him. I, too, dream for a Holy Revival in our land, but I think it will start with one life at a time, changed to see God in all of His glory.
    posted by Carolyn S.
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 1:29 pm
  12. I dream that God Would truly be Preeminent in my life and in our country.
    posted by Liz Lynn
    on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 3:50 pm
  13. amen amen amen..
    posted by mady
    on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 6:23 am
  14. I dream of desiring God's presence and fellowship more than any other person or thing in my life.
    posted by carissa belford
    on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 7:17 am
  15. Thanks for sharing your dreams here with us!

    And congratulations to Patricia Armitage! You just won a copy of "Ablaze With His Glory." Check your inbox for more details.
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 9:02 am
  16. my son has vivid dreams all the time (not necessarily spiritual) but he always talks about how he wishes he could live out those dreams in real life. Things like flying or having 'super powers'. I think God is whispering in his ear at night. I remind him that the life of a born again person is filled with 'super natural powers' and he only has to look there to fulfill those dreams and more. ..."I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works..."
    posted by betty
    on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 12:54 pm

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