Try It This Week (A Disciple-Making Tool)

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

REVIVAL...how does it come and how is it received?

We've established two things thus far. Revival is an act of the Spirit of God. Like the movement of the wind, we have no control over God's Spirit or the timing of revival. However, we also know that like a sail on a ship, we can align ourselves with the movement of the Spirit and "harness" the Spirit's power.

Last week, we learned that our first (and ongoing) act of alignment with the Spirit is repentance. Repentance goes beyond confessing our sin. Repentance also includes TURNING...away from sin and in the direction of God's path. The principle of "turning" is found throughout the Scriptures.

If my people, who are called by my name, will 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 will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Jesus quoted Isaiah in John 12:40 saying, He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn - and I would heal them.

This week, pray the prayer of David and ask the Lord to reveal any areas of your life where you need to turn from sin and turn toward God: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).

Always praying for you,
Brian