RESTORATION & REVIVAL AS THEY SHOULD BE
Many opinions exist about revival. Some say there must be miracles. For some it must be emotional. For others it's nothing more than scheduled services with a special speaker. There is little doubt these elements played some part in revivals of the past, yet none of these ideas lay closer then the distant edge of true revival. If we only pursue these ideas, we will fall short of heaven's design for authentic personal and corporate revival.
Only one path to revival exists in scripture. Repent of the things separating us from God and return to His covenant! Repentance is a sovereign act of our will in which we decide to turn away from the things which keep us from serving God. This is very powerful because it brings us back to the place where we left Gods' plan and began following our own.
Lev 26:40-46 But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to me, and that they have walked contrary to Me,...if their hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt...Then I will remember My covenant...and I will remember the land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 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 forgive their sin and heal their land.
Lev 26:40-46 But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to me, and that they have walked contrary to Me,...if their hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt...Then I will remember My covenant...and I will remember the land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 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 forgive their sin and heal their land.
True Revival and Restoration will follow our return to Gods' word!!
Perhaps we're not waiting on God; He's waiting on us! What if God is saying; the next move is up to you! Think it's far fetched? God says; "Return to Me and I will return to You". (Zech 1:3 and Mal 3:7) Notice the first step is with us!
As God moves in revival power to change a persons heart, they become new. The old things pass away, all things become new. (2 Cor 5:17) As a new creatures, we now have power to live the laws which the Holy Spirit writes on the fleshy tables of our hearts (Jer 31:31, Heb 8:10 and 10:16). When God does this we become tender to His word and the Holy Spirits leading. We aren't in bondage because we now desire to do the things which He places on our hearts because it pleases Him.
John 15:10-11 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His Love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
1 John 5:2-4 By this we know that love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.
As God moves in revival power to change a persons heart, they become new. The old things pass away, all things become new. (2 Cor 5:17) As a new creatures, we now have power to live the laws which the Holy Spirit writes on the fleshy tables of our hearts (Jer 31:31, Heb 8:10 and 10:16). When God does this we become tender to His word and the Holy Spirits leading. We aren't in bondage because we now desire to do the things which He places on our hearts because it pleases Him.
John 15:10-11 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His Love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
1 John 5:2-4 By this we know that love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.
As God revives us, His word becomes alive in us and we begin to live it. This leads to restoration as we begin to make choices based on His Word.
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)
By following through, you'll move from revival to restoration. If we fail the lights of revival will flicker and go out! God isn't about the show! He's about life and His word is life!
Are you hungry enough? Desperate enough? Broken enough? Ask Jesus to forgive you for breaking the laws of His kingdom. Ask Him to write them in your heart and to fill you with the Holy Spirit so you can obey them! True revival and restoration start here! (Jer 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:8-10, Hebrews 10:15-17)
Heavenly Father, Please send us grace to move us into revival and restoration!! Amen!