The Return预览

Revival

Most of us have watched the doctor tap on our chart and give us the gentle rebuke, “You need to lose some weight,” or, “If you’d just walk 20 minutes a day, three times a week…” It always ends with us promising to make a follow-up appointment and resolving to be the poster child for fitness. But God doesn’t tap on our chart or ask us to exercise. He knocks on our heart’s door and invites us to get up off the couch of poor choices and walk with Him in daily obedience. Personal revival happens when we lace up our sneakers and get spiritually fit over time.

If we are obedient to God’s Word and Spirit in our daily life, personal revival will stay within us. Revival is maintained by walking in the Spirit, by being obedient to God’s Word. It’s not about just promising to do better. Hebrews 12:5-6 and 12:11 tell us that revival is about discipline—and discipline is difficult. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives…. For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Obedience is key to unlocking revival! In the New Covenant, we belong to Him and are to give ourselves completely to Him in love and obedience. This dedication and obedience is marked by joy, not fear, because Christ lives in us and enables us to love and obey Him. He said, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).

Grab a pen and paper and write three prayers to the Lord:

1. Lord, I want to develop healthy spiritual habits. I tend to sit on the couch of the following poor choices: ____________, ____________, and ____________. Are there other habits that I don’t even perceive in myself?

2. Holy Spirit, I hear you knocking at my heart’s door and inviting me to lace up my spiritual sneakers. Please urge me right now to add the following disciplines that will help me grow in obedience to you.

3. Lord, accountability is part of discipline. Place on my heart the names of a few brothers and sisters in Christ who can come alongside and encourage me as I encourage them.