There is a great need for each of us to be personally revived. Whether or not masses of people in the church today ever experience true revival, we were strongly encouraged to seek revival in our hearts and lives.
Along this line, I want to share with you “5 Resolves for Personal Revival." These come from a tract written by Jim Elliff. In this pamphlet he writes: "Do you wish to be an instrument in the hands of God? Do you want to see God's power at work through you? Do you long for your prayers to be answered? If you do, then the barrier of sin between you and God must be demolished and a lifestyle of holiness and love for God renewed.
"Personal revival begins when the believer faces his sin honestly. Though painful, only honesty with God and others will enable the Christian to walk in purity and power. The following resolves are not a formula, but are required of every believer. Humbly pray and search your own heart. Begin this moment to repent and return to Him. Place your full confidence in God, who alone can make you holy. Do it now...every moment is precious. Pay any price to be right with God and to be a means of spiritual renewal to others."
REPENT OF EVERY KNOWN SIN.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3: 19)
Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without fully repenting of all known sin against God. (James 4:4-10; II Corinthians 7:9-10; Revelation 2:5; Joel 2:12-13)
FORSAKE ALL QUESTIONABLE HABITS AND ACTIVITIES.
“For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14:23b)
Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without removing from my life every habit or activity I cannot be absolutely sure is approved by God. (Romans 13:14; Romans 14:14;1 Corinthians 10:31)
MAKE RIGHT ANY WRONGS BETWEEN YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. " (Matthew 5:23-24)
Resolved: 1 will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without doing all that is possible to correct any wrongs between myself and others. (Matthew 6:14-15; Romans 12:17-21; Colossians 3:12-15;)
Note: Your confession to others should be as public as your sin.
COMMUNE WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND THE WORD.
“Revive me, 0 Lord, according to Your word." (Psalm 119:107b)
"pray without ceasing." (I Thessalonians 5:17)
Resolved: 1 will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without spending quiet moments with God in prayer and sincerely meditating on His Word. (John 17:17; Colossians 3:15-16; I Peter 2:1-3)
TRUST GOD TO USE YOU AS AN INSTRUMENT OF REVIVAL IN OTHERS.
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)
Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without asking and expecting God to use me as an effective instrument of revival in someone's life. (John 15:16; Colossians 4:5-6; II Timothy 2:20-21; 1 Peter 4: 11; Jude 22-23)
Review these resolves on a daily basis until your thinking conforms to holiness and your life is revived and useful. Never fail to apply them. It is often useful to write down what God shows you to do.
If you weaken in your desire and intensity for holiness, do not give up and return to a half-hearted, selfish life. Repent of your apathetic heart and lack of love for God immediately and continue to serve Him. Do not allow sin to rule. (Rom. 6:12-13)
Lets Pray together seriously for revival among yourselves and in others.
To help us accomplish all these resolves, the Bible tells us:
“Help me, 0 Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is
Your hand-that You, Lord, have done it!" (Psalm 109:26-27)
