"Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? Jesus is calling Have you come to the end of yourself? Do you thirst for a drink from the well? Jesus is calling"
I love these lyrics from O Come to the Altar by Elevation Worship. I believe that it perfectly describes many of us today. Tired. Hurting. Broken. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Right there at the end. Jesus is calling yet our sorrows and weariness drown out the voice of the One saying, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." We've magnified our issues and decreased the size of Our God. Reminds me of the men that gave the report to Aaron and Moses in Numbers 13, stating they seemed like grasshoppers in their own eyes, and they looked the same to the opponents...
As of the time of this blog, I'm in the midst of Revival, a 5-night training for single women via Saved and Single, my single women's ministry. I'm realizing that many ladies are depleted and running low. We're looking at reviving their lives in all areas, on all levels. But I got to thinking about how this represents many believers right now. No matter the sex or marital status. There's a large group that are in need of a fresh wind. And as we approach the holidays, I want you to revive. Actually, no matter when you read this or come across this, I want you to revive. You owe it to God to be your best at all times. Many know they are in need of a revival. Even churches host revivals every so often when a fresh outpouring from God is needed. It's that encounter with God that will shift things from that point forward. Heaven and earth shake and you feel it in your bones. For biblical reference, I see a glimpse of revival in Isaiah 64:1 where it reads, "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!"
If you're in need of a personal revival in your life, you've come to the right place!
How to revive
Repent. Some of us are being weighed down by sin. There are burdens we're carrying that are heavy. Strangely, we think they're too heavy for God. We don't even want to cast them on the One who died for them. Look at Acts 3:19. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Repent. Take those sins to God. Turn to God, be made clean, and then you'll be refreshed. Strip yourself of the weights that have held you back and held you down.
Renew. A lot of what we experience and endure takes place in our heads, let's be honest. Of course there are physical afflictions, I get that. But when there are marital issues, financial woes, troubled children, etc, our thoughts breed our concern. Approximately 90% of our thoughts are repetitive, the same things that were on our mind the day before. We find ourselves weighed down simply from anxiety and worry about what may happen. Romans 12:2 tells us that we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. So it's time to take heed to what we're told in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. You're in control of your worry, more than you realize.
Relax. You revive when you relax. I love Philippians 4:6-7, but just examining the beginning is a mouthful. "Do not be anxious about anything." Remember to relax and you'll discover a calmness. As the Word goes on, we're told to present our requests to Him, thank Him for all He's done, and then we'll experience His peace. Peace holds the key to your revival.
Lastly, you wait. We're told in Isaiah 40:31 that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. When you're tired, worn out, and exhausted, you're now weakened. And we're not waiting on anyone to do anything. God is in control of it all. His Word says that at the right time, He, the Lord, will make it happen. Whatever your it is, is up to Him. We know His timing is perfect so be at peace and relax as you wait on Him. Waiting on God is never in vain.
When I did the Weary Soul coaching a few months back, I gave the REST formula to the attendees. I want to share with you what I told them.
Resist the urge to fight. Exodus 14:14 says He'll fight for us.
Eat well, spiritually and physically. You need to nourish yourself to experience revival.
Stand on His promises. Our weapons of warfare are not carnal.
Talk it out. Recite scripture and speak it over yourself, your health, your family, and your circumstances. Life and death are in the power of YOUR tongue. Speak life!