With the arrival of 2021 we all had the expectation that 2021 would be better than 2020.
Well, we surely started 2021 with huge challenges. Churches have been closed; we are in the midst of a second wave of Covid-19. Daily we hear about people who are close to us that have been infected or died because of Covid. We are bombarded with information, which in most instances is fake news. People don’t know what the truth is anymore. It creates confusion. We all face many challenges and obstacles.
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” – Michael Jordan
The Bible declares in Romans 8:37 that “in all things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Although it appears that these things work against us, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
I want to encourage you; we are more than conquerors. We belong to a kingdom that is not a worldly kingdom, but a heavenly, eternal kingdom.
Albert Einstein said “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
“Some men go through a forest and see no firewood.” — English Proverb
We may not always be able to see ahead everything God is doing. We may not always understand His ways or timing, but we can be confident of this: He is at work.
If the way seems unclear right now, keep your eyes on God, who is more powerful than we could ever imagine. He is the God of miracles, and nothing is too difficult for Him. We can trust Him to do what seems impossible to us.
I truly believe that we are in for the greatest revival ever.
“As long as we are content to live without revival, we will.”—Leonard Ravenhill – We are not content to live without revival! We are expecting the greatest revival ever! It is on its way! It is here; prepare for revival!
Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
What is needed for Revival?
1. Repentance
Hosea 6: 1 “Come, let’s go back to the Lord
2. Exalting Christ
Revelation 5:12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
3. Put God First
Proverbs 3:6 (LB) “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
4. Pray
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your burdens unto him, because he cares for you.
5. Serve
Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
6. Worship
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NLT) “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
7. A Holy Spirit Driven Life
Romans 8:14 (NLT) “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
8. Your daily Manna – The Word of God
Jeremiah 23:29 (NLT) “Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
*To have revival we need Repentance*
*What is repentance?*
In Biblical Hebrew the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs (to return) and (to feel sorrow)
To repent and to convert involves obedience to God’s will, placing trust in him, turning away from all evil and ungodliness.
In Greek it is “change of mind and heart.”
Repentance means that I choose God above everything else. You cannot expect maximum blessing from minimum commitment.
Isaiah 1:16 (NLT) “Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways.”
Psalm 80:7 (NLT) “God of all, bring us back to You. Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.”
Romans 12:1-2 (TPT) “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. 2 “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”
True repentance will entirely change you; the bias of your souls will be changed, then you will delight in God, in Christ, in His Law, and in His people. George Whitefield
True repentance has a double aspect. It looks upon things past with a weeping eye, and upon the future with a watchful eye. Robert Smith
