It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives within me. Gal 2:20

Have you ever wondered if anyone has made more mistakes or done as many dumb things in their life as you? When that nasty thought comes to my mind, I transfer the focus to good old Apostle Paul. Remember, he was the one who claimed to be the heavyweight champion of wrongdoing. He was the worst sinner of sinners, the open terrorist of Christians. Yet God, in His mercy and grace, chose him to do more than a mighty work. In fact, Paul wrote most of the New Testament epistles and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, he is one of, if not the most influential writer ever.

In addition to Paul’s personal example of transforming hope, the scripture he wrote in 2 Cor 5:21 makes me want to shout. It says, “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God.” I suppose shouting has its place but it is nowhere near enough for true appreciation to be expressed. It actually convicts me to rely on a more spiritually intense, perfectly natural, and thoroughly practical plan. So my quest is to purpose as best I can to behave in personal revival.

Please note that revival is not available to someone with no “Christ-life” in them. Revival only comes to those who openly carry the Spirit of Jesus in their heart. These stand ready to receive a renewed spark or impetus to move them forward in a higher and more anointed fashion. I know I’m thirsty for such a thing. If you care to join me in this course, what must we do?

1. We must rededicate ourselves to reading the Bible.
2. We need to review and recognize the meaning of the Holy Book.
3. We must restore the scriptural truths of God’s graceful function as our inner guard, guide, and governor.
4. We must rekindle our first love; the One who loved us first!
5. We need to rediscover the strengthening power and momentum of God’s joy when we obey Him.

Family and friends, godly revival is more than a concept when it becomes personal, focused, energized and consistently hopeful in Christ. It leaves no place of welcome in our mind for lasting condemnation or doom and gloom self-assessments. In His name, a personal revival is my prayerful intention and reasonable service for this week and beyond. For God’s sake and ours, let’s be the work in progress He has promised. There is nothing better.

Rom 14:9; Rom 12:1-2; Phil 1:6; Neh 8:10; 1 Sam 30:6

** A note of credit to Pastor David Legge of Belfast Ireland. His sermon transcripts on the Book of Nehemiah were inspiring to this article.