Revival

I've heard prayers for revival this week. Revival from God will cost us something. Too often we get distracted during the first stage of revival. We put a halt to revival before it has a chance to begin because it is too painful to have our sins exposed to the light of God's purging fire. We think Satan is attacking the church and perhaps he is, but most likely, God is bringing to the surface what has been lurking in dark waters all along. It is His mercy at work.

If we are really experiencing the birth pangs of revival, we will be too busy with our own sins to have time to point a finger at another's sin. Secret thoughts and intents of the heart will be exposed and our blind spots will have to be dealt with. We need to persevere, repent and change, and seek the face of God. We have to turn to Him with all our hearts. We have to humble ourselves; it is better to deal with these things now than to be judged for them later.
Revival is costly, and somewhat scary, but I know it will be worth it.

I believe God will answer our prayers.
May He give us the courage to pay the price.
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Webster's-'Revival'-restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, or strength; restoration to use, acceptance; a reawakening of interest in and care for religion~

Webster's-'Restore'-to bring back to a former, more desirable condition; to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor~

Webster's-'Refresh'-to renew the vigor or energy of oneself or another; to reinvigorate or cheer~

Webster's-'Repent'-to feel regretful or contrite for past conduct; to be penitent for one's sins and seek to change one's life for the better, to feel sorry for~
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Is. 57:15~"For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Acts 3:19,2o~"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,..."
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We want Him to come dwell with us and visit our streets.
We want the refreshing that comes from His presence to invigorate us and renew our lives.

Contrite heart+humble spirit+repentance+conversion=God's refreshing presence and the revival or our spirits and hearts
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No man builds a building without first counting the costs...
No one should pray for revival unless he is willing to pay the price...
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We long for you in a dry and thirsty land
We've put our trust in idols and we've exalted man
Without your purging fire we will die within this place
Send a revival, so we may see your face...

We've followed our hearts and they've led us astray
We are guilty and weary of our ways
We confess our rebellion and our shameful disgrace
Send a revival, so we may see your face...

Replace our heart of stone with a heart of faithfulness
Fill us with your spirit, your truth and holiness
Give us the power to finish this race
Send a revival so we may see your face...

Send a revival, Lord, send a revival, Lord
Purify our hearts, so we may see your face.
Send a revival, Lord, send a revival, Lord
Purify our hearts, so we may see your face.