April 26th - A Call for Revival

April 26th, 2017 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: Ephesians 5: 14-17

"Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.



A Call for Revival

When you hear the word “revival”, what comes to mind? Does it sound like a lofty ideal from another time? Is it something that you doubt you’ll ever experience in your own lifetime? What does it really mean? In the words of Charles Finney; “A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God”. Pastor Bill McLeod, who lived to see a revival in own his church, says; “When Christians are right with God, He has no problem reaching the lost”. Revival, simply put, is experiencing a renewal of your heart for God; He revives your soul to serve Him and only Him, to a place where He can use you as a light for the lost.

Can we have it? Brian Edwards wrote, "Praying for revival is not enough. We must long for it, and long for it intensely. We have our revival prayer meetings, but we are neither confident in God's willingness to answer, nor desperate for the answer." God longs to send the Spirit, but He cannot do so until our hearts are right before Him, and we are crying out to Him day and night. He is waiting to see how humble, how broken and how determined we are and whether we can be entrusted. For only those who are totally dedicated and selfless, and who are not concerned about their reputations, can God entrust with His powerful presence.

What holds a revival back? US! Andrew Strom says; “deep repentance is one of the keys to personal and corporate revival, but what is often true is that Christians have turned away from ‘obvious sins’, such as lying, stealing, adultery, etc., but there are other things that they are aware of in their lives that are not right. It is dealing with these things that can be the key to going on with God”. We need to pray for the Spirit of Prayer.

I was challenged with this verse this week and wanted to share it with you… “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30. Sin causes the gap and God calls us to stand in the gap for our Christian brothers and sisters, and for our community. Will you stand in the gap with me?

“Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God's near presence and holiness. Thence springs a vivid sense of sin and a profound exercise of heart in repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow."

- J.I. Packer

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

Psalm 85: 1-7

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:8

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

"As long as we are content to live without revival, we will."

- Leonard Ravenhill