My Personal Revival

Today, I am sharing my story, not for my own satisfaction, but because God says I must. I cannot speak to what is happening elsewhere. I must tell of a personal experience and what I am learning. I pray that this leads you to seek God in a deeper way. I pray that what I am learning through my experience will help you as you step out in faith.

I was intrigued by the revival news from Asbury college. It was only through listening to the message the students heard that first day that I was touched. I found it on youtube. It was simple, not spectacular but it went straight to my heart as it seemed to do for about 16 students who remained in the chapel. Soon others joined them, but from the beginning, I knew that revival can begin right here in my heart.

The messaged left me in tears. I wept on and off the rest of the day and I have have done so ever since. Why? Because I realized that I do not love the way God does. I was made aware in a deeper way that I need Jesus and His great love that took my sin to the cross and then resurrected my life with Him for eternity. Again, I did not need to be there to experience this. I only needed to humble myself before God and let Him draw me deeper.

Soon after I shared my opinion about not needing to go to Asbury to find revival, I faced attack. Over these past weeks I have had other attacks that seemed to be telling me to shut up. Be silent! Don't speak. But, my Jesus' gift this year is to "Say it loud" so I must win the war that rages within me. With the strength of The Holy Spirit, I will speak the words Given to me.

My love language is words of affirmation, but lately I have had a desert experience in that area of my life. It seemed that people wanted to give me words, but none of affirmation. Jesus spoke to me that I was not going to get the words of affirmation from the world, but He gives them to me. I must listen to Him.

I have had dreams warning that with the flow of the Holy Spirit, the enemy of God would try to pollute it. I am to do my part to remove the pollution as best I am able so that those who need the cleansing waters can be cleansed. My job is to pray, speak and reach out.

My personal revival is first one of recognizing that I am flawed. I have failed God. I need Him more now than ever. It is also a time of spiritual warfare against thoughts, fears, and attacks. It is a time to answer the call for action.

So, if I were to encourage you I would say:

1. Be willing to humble yourself right where you are. He is waiting close by. Let Him do His work wherever you meet Him. Repent! Even "small" sins are offensive to our Holy God.

2. Be prepared to fight a battle against whatever might try to stop the Spirit's move in you or around you.

3. Don't place rules or demands on the Spirit of God. His ways are far greater than ours. He does not need my advice how to run this. Don't demand of others or of yourself something you do not understand.

4. Be obedient. Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Learn to recognize His voice and obey.

I have a life verse that I have wanted to live by for over 40 years. Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV:

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

I choose above all else, to know God, hear Him, see Him even in this dark world, and follow Him.

Tell me about YOUR personal revival! Sharing encourages us all and plants seeds for those who do not know the love of God.