Revival

Revival is defined as the following. A restoration to use, acceptance, activity, or vigor after a period of obscurity or quiescence. To bring back to life or consciousness; resuscitate. To impart new health, vigor, or spirit to. In the book of Acts the Gospel was preached unto the ends of the known world by the power of the Holy Ghost. Everywhere people who heard the message repented, were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by their faith, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost with evidence of unknown or others tongues. People were casting out demons in the name of Jesus and healing others by means of their shadow or handkerchiefs. The places where the Apostles met were shaken by the Holy Ghost. One of the first steps to regain that spiritual atmosphere is by humility. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. We have to be called by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ or we are not his. This is evident in many scriptures but specifically in Colossians 3:17 (Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, both word or deed.) and Matthew 21-27. (Those who used name of the Lord in all ares except baptism were still seen in sin. Jesus is Lord of all Acts 10:36.) Pride is the first recorded sin. Satan said "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God'. His five "I will's" are well known to most. We must walk humbly before the Lord our God. 1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. One must be as the Publican who would not so much as lift up his eyes but said God be merciful to me a sinner. That man's prayer was heard because it was of the right spirit. Luke 7:29 And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Either one will justify himself or God by their beliefs. This is because faith is shown by our actions or inaction says James 2:15-26. (Faith without works is dead being alone.) Another action by our faith is prayer. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much. Abraham through his speaking to God dropped the number of required righteous men in Sodom to spare it. Elijah prayed that it would not rain and for three and a half years it did not. Jesus spoke of the continuance or persistence of prayer by one man. He went to borrow supplies from a friend late at night. And the man gave him what he wanted because of his importunity. Persistence overcomes resistance. Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We walk by faith and not by sight. Each person has a certain amount of it given to them. Faith also comes by hearing the word of God. When we hear the word it must be mixed with our faith to benefit us. We must seek the face or presence of God in our lives daily. Numbers 6:24-27 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe. (And saved.) Today we are saved by the all powerful and saving name of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18 and Acts 4:12.) Zechariah 14:9 says the name of the Lord and he are one. In the calligraphy of the Chinese language, there are symbols that date 3000 plus years before Christ. One is the symbol for happiness. The literal rendering for it is man in a garden in the presence of God. (Shang-Ti.) Isaiah 26:3-4 Tells us that God will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed upon him because we trust in him. The peace of god passes all understanding. The wicked have no peace inside them. The comforter or the Holy Spirit of God, gives us peace like a river when we walk in his ways. Everyone must turn from their secret sins or wicked ways, depending on the person. We must break up the fallow

(Unplowed or hard ground.) We must have a heart of flesh and not stone. Psalm 139: 23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Even as Nineveh repented in ashes and dust to shown their remorse for their sins, so must we rend our hearts and not clothes. It must be a real desire to repent. Repentance is defined as a complete change of heart. Repentance is a change of thought and action to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shall love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength. So, we must seek him first and give all to him. One must love his neighbor as himself, and forgive those who trespassed or sinned against him. The Apostles and disciples of Christ were of one mind and one accord. They all spoken the same thing. They all baptized in Jesus name and called God one. They shared their possessions equally among themselves. They lived Holy lives in the fear of the Lord. With boldness and authority did they preach and speak in the name of Jesus; not fearing nor giving favor to any man. This was the early church. They persevered in the faith. They continued on despite persecutions and sufferings. Everyone except John was killed off by men. As he alone escaped a violent death. While exiled at the isle of Patmos God gave him the vision which he wrote and is named the Revelations. Acts 2:38,41,46-47 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Hebrew 10:36-39 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. We read the story of Elisha who followed Elijah through thick and thin to receive the blessing and power of God. This is in 2 King 2:2-15. He that endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. there is a lot to endure along the way. But Jesus is the lily of the valley and the bright and morning star. As weeping may endure the night but joy comes in the morning. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. All things work for our good as we love him who first loved us. Nothing but ourselves can seperate us from the love of God that is given freely to all who receive him, as both Lord and Savior.