Destroying Tradition

Black Jesus!!!

William Seymour

This dude ushered in the Azuza Street Revival at the beginning of the 1900's.  He was the only African American male that I know of doing a mighty work for God at that time.  The thing about Seymour was that he spent five years on his knees praying for God to send revival,and not only that but he spent about five hours a day praying for it as well. That's what I call dedication. 

Imagine if the pastors we have today spent time in prayer only half that time, we would begin to see the power of God on a greater scale.  It's people like Seymour that show me God hasn't given us anything new, but when you stay on your knees on like that you just give God no barriers to moving how he wants because you're out of the way.  ONE significant thing to notice about that revival is that they preached the blessing of sanctification should be sought before the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, even more importantly, divine love.

Man on Fire!!!

Sadly, they just don't make em' like these anymore.  For those of you who don't know, this guy to the right of this story is none other than Smith Wigglesworth.  Many stories are rumored about this gruff plumber from England, but what I think is more remarkable than anything is the fact that this guy really acted on what the Bible said.  It's rumored he healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, but more importantly had a consistent walk of victory with God.

Wigglesworth put it like this, "I never pray more than a half hour, but I never go more than an half hour without praying".  I think these words sum up what kind of men people saw back then in the men and women of God.  It was an era where preachers tried to avoid the lavish life styles we see now and they cared more about the heart of God meeting the needs of the people.  Wigglesworth will always be remembered as a giant, I pray that the church begins producing more souls that were aflame for God like this man.