Monday Morning Encouragement -- Awake, O Sleeper!

"But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'” Ephesians 5:14

Yesterday after church I drove to our local movie theatre to see the film A Great Awakening. I rarely go to movies any more, but after watching a review from a Christian leader I respect, and the stories behind the making of the film, I decided to go. I'm so glad I did.

A Great Awakening is based on the true story of the unlikely friendship of Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin, and how God used Whitefield's preaching and Franklin's print shop to spread the gospel and usher in one of the greatest revivals in history. A revival that began in 1739 and lasted approximately 30 years. 

When Whitefield arrived in the Colonies from England he brought the full gospel with him. The Anglican church had thrown him out, and the colonial churches rejected his message, and so he went to the common people. He preached in the open air, in prisons and in coal mines, and he called people to repentance and a turning to Christ. 

There's much more to this movie than I can share here. And I don't want to spoil the experience for you. All I can say is go and see it if it's still in a theatre near you. I understand it's also available for viewing through Amazon Prime. It's a remarkable movie, and one that is so very much needed in the world today. I came away so hopeful. The Holy Spirit is alive and well today, and can move across our nation just as strongly as He did in 1739.

The music video I'm sharing today is Awaken Us Today. "This video shows the lyrics to the Hymn Awaken Us Today used in the film A Great Awakening and shows images and video clips from the film trailer."

I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying or you.