Genuine Salvation 2 Cor.

5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old

things are passed away; behold, all thing are become new.")

PREPARING FOR PERSONAL REVIVAL

This is the moment for self-examination Without it we are wasting our time with God. God is eager to manifest His reviving presence and power in every generation. But we must take steps to prepare for the release of his fullness in our midst. On the eve of their passage over Jordan into the promised land, Joshua charged the children of Israel to prepare their hearts" "Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Joshua 3:5 The psalmist understood the importance of spiritual preparation to revival. "Righteousness shall go before Him and shall set us in the way of His steps." Psalm 85:13 The questions that follow are designed to reveal specific areas of spiritual need in our lives. These areas must be dealt with in preparations for personal and corporate revival. STEPS OF ACTION 1. Pray the prayers of the psalmist: "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." Psalm 139:23,24 2. Be totally honest as you answer each question. 3. Agree with God about each need He reveals in your life. Confess each sin with the willingness to make it right and forsake it. 4. Praise God for cleansing and forgiveness. 5. Renew your mind and rebuild your life through meditation and practical application of the Word of God. 6. Review these questions periodically to remain sensitive to your need for ongoing revival. A good time would be the week prior to communion.

a. b. c.

Was there ever a time in my life that I genuinely repented of my sin? Was there ever a time in my life that I placed all my trust in Jesus Christ alone to save me? Was there ever a time in my life that I completely surrendered to Jesus Christ as the Master and Lord of my life?
Psalm 119:140 "Thy word is very pure; therefore, thy servant loveth it."

God's Word Psalm 119:97 "Oh, how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day." a. b. c. Do I love and meditate on the Word of God? Are my personal devotions consistent and meaningful? Do I practically apply God's Word to my everyday life?
name is Holy. I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite one."

Humility Isaiah 57:15 "For thus saith the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, whose

a. b. c. d.

Am I quick to recognize and agree with God in confession when I have sinned? Am I quick to admit to others when I am wrong? Do I rejoice when others are praised and recognized and my accomplishments go unnoticed by men? Do I esteem others as better than myself?
over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." 1 Sam. 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams."

Obedience Hebr. 13:7 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch

a. b.

Do I consistently obey what I know God wants me to do? Do I consistently obey the human authorities God has placed over my life?
us from all unrighteousness."

Pure Heart 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse a. b. c. Do I confess my sin by name? Do I keep "short sin accounts" with God? Am I willing to give up all sin for God?
man."

Clear Conscience Acts 24:16 "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and a. b. Do I consistently seek forgiveness from those who I wrong or offend? Is my conscience clear with every man? Can I honestly say, "There is no one I have every wronged or offended in any way or not gone back to them and sought their forgiveness and made it right?

Priorities Matt 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these
things shall be added unto you."

Moral Purity Eph. 5:3-4 "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or
of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or course joking, which are out of place but rather thanksgiving."

a. b. c.

Does my schedule reveal that God is first in my life? Does my checkbook reveal that God is first in my life? Next to my relationship with God, is my relationship with my family my highest priority?
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

a. b.

Do I keep my mind free from books, magazines or entertainment that could stimulate fantasizing or thoughts that are not morally pure? Is my conversation and behavior pure and above reproach?
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Values Col 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves a. b. c. Do I love what God loves and hate what God hates? Do I value highly the things that please God (i.e., giving, witnessing to lost souls, studying His Word, prayer?) Are my affections and goals fixed on eternal values?

Forgiveness Col. 3:12-13 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe

a. b.

Do I seek to resolve conflicts in relationships as soon as possible? Am I quick to forgive those who wrong me or hurt me?
remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

Sacrifice Phil. 3:7,8 "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things."

Sensitivity Mark 5:23,24 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there

a. b.

Am I willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to see God move in my life and church (time, convenience, comfort, reputation, pleasure, etc?) Is my life characterized by genuine sacrifice for the cause of Christ?

a. b.

Am I sensitive to the conviction and prompting of God's Spirit? Am I quick to respond in humility and obedience to the conviction and prompting of God's Spirit?
brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel." Luke 24:46,48 "This is what is written: Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

Spirit Control Gal. 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

Evangelism Rom. 9:3 "For I wish myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my

a. b. c.

Am I allowing Jesus to be the Lord of every area of my life? Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to "Fill" (control) my life each day? Is there consistent evidence of the "Fruit of the Spirit" being produced in my life?

a. b.

Do I have a burden for lost souls? Do I consistently witness for Christ?

be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Prayer 1 Tim. 2:1 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving

First Love Phil. 1:21 "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." a. b. Am I as much in love with Jesus as I have ever been? Am I thrilled with Jesus, filled with His joy and peace, making Him the continual object of my love? a. b.

Am I faithful in praying for the needs of others? Do I pray specifically, fervently, and faithfully for revival in my life, my church, and our nation?

Motives Acts 5:29 "We must obey God rather than man."
Matt. 10:28 "Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy the soul and body in hell."

a. b. c.

Am I more concerned about what God thinks about my life than what others think? Would I pray, read my Bible, give, and serve as much if nobody but God ever noticed? Am I more concerned about pleasing God than I am about being accepted and appreciated by men?

"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer. 17:10