Oh my goodness! Who would have thought that it has been so long since I've blogged. I am not sure if that means that my life is so boring that nothing has happened, or that I've been so caught up with the busyness of life that I've forgotten my little blog!
In either case, here I am today...no promises of faithful blogging to come, no apologies for missed blogging opportunities. Just here I am today.
I've been contemplating revival - what is it, does God desire it, should we be praying for it, how extensive/worldwide must it be for it to be "real"? Not that I have many (or even any) answers, just that I've been thinking about it.
One thing I've come to understand is that revival comes from God to us and not from us to God. Sometimes I think that we misunderstand this point. Sometimes I think WE think that if we pray hard enough, search our hearts hard enough and just DO enough that revival will come. There is a fine line between walking in obedience and walking in the Spirit. Sometimes I wonder if we forget about our need for the power of the Spirit in our lives and think it is all about US. Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't obey because I absolutely believe we must. But I also know that it is only by the renewing power of the Spirit that I even have the ability to obey. It all comes back to the new nature that Jesus gave to me at my salvation. By His love, mercy and grace He gave me a nature that DESIRES to obey, DESIRES to walk in unity with Him and DESIRES to be transformed into His image.
I'm afraid that I'm rambling, and rather incoherently at that. I would love to hear your thoughts on revival - but more importantly, I would love to see the scriptures you've seen that speak to this.
I desire that my life, my family, our church, our community and state and country and world all come under the authority of the Living Lord. I desire that we all surrender to Him in joy and love and that we seek the heavenly things of eternity rather than the temporal things of this world. To see us all (starting with ME) walking in total surrender to His glorious will would be an awesome and wondrous thing! I'm just not sure that it is MINE to do. And if I surrender my whole heart to Him and fill my heart and mind with His goodness and grace, is that enough to spark revival?
Thanks for the thoughts on revival.....my goodness, it's like you've been reading my mind (only months ago). Gary and i have just begun a discussion 'betwixt' the 2 of us about revival. i do think there is a principle or 2 to be found in 2Chron. 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by My Name will humble themselves....etc...." (i'm sure there are other Scriptures, but i have not studied this topic out). i do believe that revivals have almost always started either with one individual persisting in prayer, walking in holiness...or a small group who feels led by the Spirit to pray, confess their sins, repent....or a pastor/preacher/evangelist/teacher who, led by the Spirit, in the power of the Spirit preaches/teaches a message that the Spirit uses in a powerful way. i don't believe God sends a revival because we "pray for revival". (And i agree; i believe it is God who chooses to send a revival). I think revival has much to do with our willingness to totally, in every area of our lives be so surrendered, so yielded, so obedient to the will of God, that we walk in holiness and the power of the Spirit, as a result....and then God is able to send a 'revival'. At the same time.; i also believe that a revival has much to do with the sovereign will of God and His choosing to 'move' people by the influence and power of the Spirit. Somehow, i think the 2 go hand-in-hand, but that ultimately, we don't necessarily "cause" revival to happen, but that in order for it to even possibly happen, God may look for certain conditions in the hearts of His children or the heart of one of His children....or...not. He's God, He's sovereign and can send revival under any conditions He chooses....but i do think there is usually some "fertile soil" that He has cultivated prior to sending a revival. Sadly, i know that i am not totally surrendered to the Lord in every area.....i don't consistently live in the power of the Spirit, because i confess i am still more undisciplined than i should be. And that is my fault. You have wondrously convicted me that i must no longer 'dilly-dally' about schlumping along in my Christian life, which i do at times; that i must make more of an effort to DAILY live in obedience, in yieldedness, and COMPLETE surrender to the Lord....and remove anything that 'entangles' me or prevents me from doing so! So, thank you Sister.....keep exhorting us....and may we all spur one another on to holiness....so that we will not disappoint the Lord at His appearing and also in the hope that the Lord may choose to send a revival that will bring many to salvation before He returns for His bride. So many are still so lost....and we Christians, are not shining as brightly as we should in this present darkness. Lord, forgive us....and 'revive us again', as the old hymn says! (Wow....guess i kinda blogged an answer! ) Love you!
Comments (1)
Thanks for the thoughts on revival.....my goodness, it's like you've been reading my mind (only months ago). Gary and i have just begun a discussion 'betwixt' the 2 of us about revival. i do think there is a principle or 2 to be found in 2Chron. 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by My Name will humble themselves....etc...." (i'm sure there are other Scriptures, but i have not studied this topic out). i do believe that revivals have almost always started either with one individual persisting in prayer, walking in holiness...or a small group who feels led by the Spirit to pray, confess their sins, repent....or a pastor/preacher/evangelist/teacher who, led by the Spirit, in the power of the Spirit preaches/teaches a message that the Spirit uses in a powerful way. i don't believe God sends a revival because we "pray for revival". (And i agree; i believe it is God who chooses to send a revival). I think revival has much to do with our willingness to totally, in every area of our lives be so surrendered, so yielded, so obedient to the will of God, that we walk in holiness and the power of the Spirit, as a result....and then God is able to send a 'revival'. At the same time.; i also believe that a revival has much to do with the sovereign will of God and His choosing to 'move' people by the influence and power of the Spirit. Somehow, i think the 2 go hand-in-hand, but that ultimately, we don't necessarily "cause" revival to happen, but that in order for it to even possibly happen, God may look for certain conditions in the hearts of His children or the heart of one of His children....or...not. He's God, He's sovereign and can send revival under any conditions He chooses....but i do think there is usually some "fertile soil" that He has cultivated prior to sending a revival. Sadly, i know that i am not totally surrendered to the Lord in every area.....i don't consistently live in the power of the Spirit, because i confess i am still more undisciplined than i should be. And that is my fault. You have wondrously convicted me that i must no longer 'dilly-dally' about schlumping along in my Christian life, which i do at times; that i must make more of an effort to DAILY live in obedience, in yieldedness, and COMPLETE surrender to the Lord....and remove anything that 'entangles' me or prevents me from doing so! So, thank you Sister.....keep exhorting us....and may we all spur one another on to holiness....so that we will not disappoint the Lord at His appearing and also in the hope that the Lord may choose to send a revival that will bring many to salvation before He returns for His bride. So many are still so lost....and we Christians, are not shining as brightly as we should in this present darkness. Lord, forgive us....and 'revive us again', as the old hymn says! (Wow....guess i kinda blogged an answer!
) Love you!