A Starting Point For Revival-The Heart

 

The Heart Is The Starting Point For Revival The status of revival will depend on the way the Lord’s people (Christians) respond to the Lord’s voice. Psalms 85:6-9 “Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love. O Lord and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints-but let them not return to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him that his glory may dwell in our land.” (NIV) Revival starts with prayer and seeking the Lord. I Chronicles 16:11-12 “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced.” (NIV) This land can be healed if we seek God’s face, God’s strength and God’s person. The next step will be to turn away from wicked ways. Acts 3:19-20 “Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord and that he may send the Christ who has been appointed for you-even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he has promised long ago through his holy prophets.” (NIV)America needs a fresh touch from the Lord. Here are some suggested areas for repentance: 1.) Set an example for others 2.) Stop watching TV programs and movies that do not glorify the Lord. 3.) Dress modestly 4.) Stop divorcing (Unless of abuse or unfaithfulness) 5.) Stop drinking, going to bars and taverns. 6.) Stop sexual immorality 7. Stop gossip and slander 8. Stop killing unborn babies and anyone who is alive. Only God has the right to decide when a life will end. Humble yourself and pray for America and our town. Fast along with prayer and ask for God’s grace to grant revival. I Peter 5:5-6 “Young men in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud-but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in do time.” (NIV)Jesus prayed for people to be saved. Do you pray for souls to be saved? John 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (NIV) The Lord is looking for Christians to witness for him-that will not shrink back. If it would be a choice between death and denying Jesus would you choose death? If you choose to deny Christ – then I would consider that act cowardly. Here is what Revelation 21:8 says about being a coward: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the 2^nd death.” (NIV) Think about this scripture: Matthew 10:32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men; I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (NIV) The Lord expects us to be bold and stand up to let others know about the good news of Jesus. Ask yourself: “Are you ready to die for the Lord?” My personal opinion is that it will not work to deny Christ and then repent. The bible teaches we should always be prepared to give an answer about the hope we have for eternity. I Peter 3:15-17 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (NIV)The bible teaches about the consequences of falling away- Hebrews 6:1-6 “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death and of faith in God, instructions about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment and God permitting, we will do so. It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” (NIV)Are you on fire for the Lord and giving your life to serve him? If not, why not start today?