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Monday, February 1, 2016

A Sign for Revival




Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT).
 
Just let a few Christians get thoroughly right with God, and the church is set for a great awakening. This was one of the points in our pastor's sermon detailing a prescription for revival in a spiritually hungry church. Revival begins in you and it begins in me when we are ready for a heart change. God pours Himself into the lives of those who yearn and ache to live for Him–who seek His purity of heart and purpose. Such a believer is easily convicted and moved by the power of God. Such a Christian hears God's voice and responds not only on His knees at an altar, but in his heart with repentance. What do we do when we fail God? Do we go to Him and confess or do we try to ignore our sin and make excuses? This verse in Hebrews tells us that we are to strip off very weight of sin that trips us up. If we think we are perfect, then we need to look again. We have all failed. Not one of us is perfect. I am the woman who has failed Him, and who are you? Have you failed Him, too?
 
Do we need a road sign to turn from what is wrong in our lives? If we ever want to finish this race of life well, then we are going to have to let go of the things that keep us from running a good race. What holds me back? What is the thing that holds you back? What in your life weighs you down? What is hindering your progress? If you and I ever needed a sign or a wake-up call, then this verse in Hebrews is for us. Two words hit us in the face–weight and sin. Sin will not only weigh us down. It will destroy us and hold us back from discovering God's potential. We will miss the promise of His blessing that lies within the grasp of a repentant heart. We will miss the glory of what He can do in our hearts and lives when we seek revival.
 
What is in your life that weighs you down and holds you back from His promise of a new life? It can be anything from a sinful habit to a relationship you are in that is not healthy. It can be a negative or unforgiving attitude that keeps you from reaching for God's grace. Perhaps you are allowing a hurt from your past to dictate your life, and hold you in emotional bondage. But whatever your sin–whatever your unhealthy relationship–whatever your emotional pain, you are weighed down by its oppressive yoke. Jesus Christ wants to take it away if you will let it go. There is freedom in Him. He has extended an offer of a new heart and life to you.

 
Allow the road signs that Jesus brings into your life to point you in the right direction–toward His altar and a hunger of heart for more of Him. The weight of sin–the weight of an unhealthy relationship–the weight of emotional bondage that has defined your life–the weight of oppression...take these burdens to His altar and leave each one there. Never settle for less than the best that He has for you. Seek to be right with Him. Let go of the weight, and leap into His arms of freedom. Seek His revival of heart. It will be the most certain thing you have ever done. You will blaze with new life that shall spread like wildfire, and from the flames will arise the promise of heaven-sent change.

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