Birthing Revival: Prophetic Insights for a Desperate Generation

 Awakening the Spirit: A Call for Revival in Memphis and Beyond

I'm thrilled to share with you some powerful insights that have been stirring in my heart lately. As I've been walking with the Lord, praying, and reflecting on His Word, I've found myself repeatedly drawn to several key themes that I believe are crucial for our spiritual growth and the revival of our nation.

The Burning Passion for Revival

One of the main topics that God keeps bringing to my attention is the desperate need for revival, particularly in Memphis. It's as if the Lord is shouting this message from the rooftops! I can feel His desire for a spiritual awakening in our city, and I believe it's time for us to respond with fervor and dedication.

The Birth Pangs of Revival

Recently, I had a powerful experience during a worship service that I believe illustrates God's heart for revival. As I was praising the Lord, I saw a vision of clouds on the worship screen transforming into a sonogram image of a baby. It was as if God was showing me that He wants us to birth revival through our diligent seeking of Him.

This vision was confirmed multiple times in the following days through conversations and sermons. It's clear that the Holy Spirit is speaking to the body of Christ about bringing forth a new move of God. We are in the birth pangs of revival, and it's time for us to push through in prayer and worship!

Contrasting Biblical Doctrine with Modern Church Practices

Another area that deeply concerns me is the disconnect between what the Bible teaches and what we often see practiced in churches today. As believers, we need to constantly examine our lives and our congregations in light of Scripture. Are we truly living out the teachings of Jesus, or have we become complacent in our faith?

The Need for Mentorship and Discipleship

One significant issue I've observed is the lack of genuine mentorship and discipleship in many church settings. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:15, "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers." This verse highlights the importance of spiritual fathers who can guide and nurture younger believers.

We need to move beyond simply attending services and listening to sermons. True discipleship involves walking alongside one another, sharing our lives, and helping each other grow in Christ. It's time to embrace the biblical model of mentorship and create deep, meaningful relationships within our church communities.

Knowing God, Not Just About Him

Perhaps one of the most critical aspects of our faith journey is developing a personal, intimate relationship with God. It's not enough to know facts about Him or to simply attend church services. We must pursue a deep, experiential knowledge of our Heavenly Father.

Encountering the Supernatural

As we seek to know God more intimately, we often encounter His supernatural presence in our lives. Recently, my wife Susan and I have experienced several unexplainable events that can only be attributed to God's divine intervention. These experiences serve as powerful reminders that our God is alive and active, constantly seeking to communicate with His children.

The Prophetic Significance of Our Times

We are living in a pivotal moment in history, and I believe God is speaking to us through various signs and prophetic revelations. Two books that have particularly impacted me are "The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening" by Jennifer LeClaire and "The Mystery of the Shemitah" by Jonathan Cahn.

The Appeal to Heaven Flag

The history behind the "Appeal to Heaven" flag is fascinating and holds great significance for our nation. This flag, which features an evergreen tree, was flown by George Washington during the Revolutionary War as a symbol of America's reliance on divine intervention. God has been highlighting this symbol to me and many others, reminding us of our covenant with Him and the need to turn back to our spiritual roots.

The Shemitah and God's Timing

Jonathan Cahn's work on the Shemitah (a seven-year cycle in the Hebrew calendar) has revealed intriguing patterns in America's history and economy. When combined with the messages from "The Harbinger," these insights point to the supernatural nature of God's dealings with our nation. We must pay attention to these prophetic signs and respond with humility and repentance.

A Call to Action: Becoming Intercessors for Our Nation

In light of all that God is revealing, it's clear that we can no longer remain lukewarm in our faith. We must transition from being passive hearers of the Word to active doers who intercede for our nation. Second Chronicles 7:14 serves as a powerful reminder of our role in bringing about spiritual renewal:

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

It's time for us to become like Daniel, who fervently prayed for his nation. We must step up our seeking of God, deepen our repentance, and cultivate a desperate hunger for His presence.

Igniting the Fire of Revival

As we look at the state of our nation, it's evident that America is sliding down a dangerous path of wickedness. But this is also an exciting time to be alive because the lines are being drawn more clearly than ever before. We must choose to stand firmly for Jesus and His Kingdom.

I encourage you, my dear friends, to join me in turning up the heat in your spiritual life. Let's not be content with lukewarm Christianity. Instead, let's become passionate, on-fire believers who are willing to do whatever it takes to see revival break out in our cities and nation.

Will you answer the call? Will you join me in seeking God with all your heart, in mentoring others, and in interceding for our land? Together, we can be part of the next great move of God that will transform lives and bring glory to His name.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. If this message has touched your heart, please share it with others and consider supporting our ministry as we continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Let's keep seeking Him diligently, for He is faithful to reward those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

May God bless you abundantly as you pursue Him with all your heart!

Tina Tatum Interview - National Day of Prayer

Embracing Unity and Revival: Reflections on the National Day of Prayer

Introduction:

I've been witnessing an incredible movement of God in the Memphis Mid-South area. Today, I want to share my thoughts on a pivotal event that's set to ignite our community's faith: the National Day of Prayer for DeSoto County. This gathering isn't just another religious observance; it's a catalyst for transformation and a call to unity that I believe will ripple across our nation.

The Power of Coming Together:

When I think about the National Day of Prayer, I'm reminded of Jesus' words in John 17:20-23. He prayed for all believers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity isn't just a nice idea—it's the very thing that will make the world believe in Christ's mission. As I've been preparing for this event, I've felt a strong conviction that God is calling us to set aside our denominational differences and come together as one body.

The 'If' That Changes Everything:

There's a powerful word that keeps resonating in my spirit: "if." It comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God says, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." This "if" is like a hinge on a door—it's the turning point that can unleash God's healing and revival in our land.

A Prophetic Moment for Memphis:

I believe we're standing at a prophetic crossroads. There have been numerous words spoken over Memphis and the surrounding area, indicating that God is positioning us for a significant move of His Spirit. One prophecy that stands out to me is about an olive branch stretching from Olive Branch, Mississippi, into Memphis, Tennessee, signaling a great revival. These prophetic insights aren't just feel-good messages; they're calls to action for us as believers.

The Seven Mountains of Influence:

During our National Day of Prayer event, we'll be focusing on seven key areas of influence in our society: family, church, government, business, education, media, and arts & entertainment. This strategy, sometimes called the "Seven Mountains Mandate," recognizes that as believers, we're called to be salt and light in every sphere of society. It's not just about Sunday morning worship; it's about bringing God's Kingdom into every aspect of our lives.

Breaking Down Walls:

One of the most exciting aspects of this gathering is that it's breaking down traditional barriers. We're meeting at Brown Missionary Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation. This choice is intentional. It's a statement that we're willing to step outside our comfort zones and familiar surroundings to demonstrate the unity Christ prayed for. It's in this coming together that I believe we'll see the power of God manifested in unprecedented ways.

A Call to Action:

As we approach the National Day of Prayer, I want to challenge each of you reading this. Will you be part of the "if"? Will you humble yourself, pray, seek God's face, and turn from anything that's hindering your walk with Him? This isn't just about attending an event; it's about positioning ourselves for a move of God that could transform our communities, our nation, and even the world.

Conclusion:

The National Day of Prayer on May 7th at 6 PM at Brown Missionary Baptist Church is more than just a date on the calendar. It's an opportunity for us to make history—to be part of a generation that saw division in the church and decided to stand united instead. It's a chance to appeal to heaven, just as our forefathers did, believing that God is still in the business of healing lands and reviving hearts.

I invite you to join us. Let's be the answer to Jesus' prayer for unity. Let's be the "if" that ushers in revival. Together, we can exalt Jesus and see His Kingdom come in power in the Memphis Mid-South area and beyond.

Unveiling the Prophetic Vision: The Five-Fold Ministry and the Transformation of the Church

Prophetic Vision: Five-Fold Ministry Transformed

I'm excited to share with you a powerful prophetic vision that the Lord has given me. This vision not only confirms the importance of the five-fold ministry but also reveals a crucial transformation that's taking place in the body of Christ. So grab your coffee, open your hearts, and let's dive into this supernatural revelation together!

The Vision at Church and Craft

Recently, while visiting a specific geographical location - the intersection of Church and Craft - God opened my spiritual eyes to a profound open vision. Now, you might be wondering why the location matters. Well, as we see in Scripture, God often speaks in particular places (think of Daniel's visions or John's revelations on Patmos). There's a spiritual significance to geographical locations that we must be attuned to as believers.

In this open vision, I saw a right hand attempting to enter a five-fingered glove. The glove was dark, and interestingly, the two rightmost fingers (what we'd call the ring finger and pinky) were crippled, atrophied, and curled up. These fingers couldn't fit into the glove properly. Then, mysteriously, the five-fingered glove transformed into a white oven mitten, allowing the entire hand to fit inside.

Decoding the Prophetic Symbolism

As I prayed and sought the Lord's wisdom, He began to reveal the meaning behind this powerful imagery:

1. The Hand and Glove: This represents the five-fold ministry as described in Ephesians 4:11 - "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."

2. The Healthy Fingers: The first three fingers, symbolizing apostles, prophets, and evangelists, were healthy and fit easily into the glove. This indicates that these ministries are currently operating effectively in the body of Christ.

3. The Crippled Fingers: The two curled and atrophied fingers represent the pastors and teachers. This suggests that these vital roles have become weakened or distorted in the current church structure.

4. The Transformation: The glove changing into a white mitten symbolizes a coming transformation in how we understand and implement the five-fold ministry, particularly in relation to pastors and teachers.

The State of Pastors and Teachers Today

Now, I want to speak the truth in love here. Many of our current pastors and teachers are struggling with a system that doesn't align with God's original design. Instead of shepherding and making disciples as Jesus did, they've been pushed into roles of weekly orators, often motivated more by building congregations than by truly feeding the flock.

2 Timothy 4:3 warns us, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." Sadly, we see this happening in many churches today. The pressure to maintain salaries, buildings, and programs can lead to compromising the full gospel message.

The Misunderstood Role of Pastors

It's crucial to understand that the word "pastor" as we commonly use it today is actually a mistranslation. The Greek word "poimen" used in Ephesians 4:11 is more accurately translated as "shepherd." This role isn't about delivering weekly sermons from a pulpit; it's about intimately guiding and nurturing believers, just as Jesus did with His disciples.

The Call to Transformation

The vision of the glove transforming into a mitten represents God's desire to bring the five-fold ministry back into proper alignment. This means:

1. Redefining pastoral roles to focus on shepherding and discipleship rather than mere oration.

2. Emphasizing the importance of personal encounters with Christ over religious rituals or knowledge about Him.

3. Encouraging teachers to move beyond simply imparting information to facilitating genuine spiritual growth and transformation.

4. Restoring the full operation of apostles, prophets, and evangelists alongside renewed pastoral and teaching ministries.

The Purpose of the Five-Fold Ministry

Ephesians 4:12-13 clearly states the purpose of these gifts: "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

This isn't about maintaining religious institutions; it's about equipping believers, doing the work of ministry, and building up the body of Christ until we all reach spiritual maturity in Christ.

A Call to Action

It's time for us to seek a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ. Like Paul on the road to Damascus or the woman at the well, when we truly meet Jesus, everything changes. Our priorities shift, and we're willing to give up everything for the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:45-46).

Here's what I believe God is calling us to do:

1. Pray for discernment and wisdom as we navigate these changes in the church.

2. Seek a personal, transformative encounter with Jesus Christ.

3. Support and encourage pastors and teachers who are willing to embrace God's true design for their roles.

4. Be open to the full operation of the five-fold ministry in your local church and community.

5. Focus on making disciples rather than just building church attendance.

Remember, it's not about knowing about Jesus; it's about knowing Him personally. On that final day, we don't want to hear those terrifying words, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). Instead, let's pursue an intimate relationship with our Savior and allow Him to use us fully in His kingdom work.

As we move forward, let's keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He's doing a new thing in His church, and we have the privilege of being part of it. Let's embrace this prophetic vision and allow God to transform us and our understanding of ministry.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences related to this vision. How have you seen the five-fold ministry operating in your life or church? Share in the comments below, and let's continue this important conversation.

Until next time, keep digging deeper and reaching higher in Christ!