Forgiveness as Preparation for Revival

Revival is a time that is set aside for special devotion to the Word and work of God.  This is a time for us to focus ourselves upon our dependence upon God in a special way and a time of expectation for a move of God among his people.  Once again we are focusing upon God's love for the lost within our lives and within our community.  We are seeking a move of God among those who do not know him and are praying for the salvation of those he has placed around our lives who are separated from the love and grace of our Lord.

Last year as we sought the Lord and prepared our hearts, the Lord began to move among us drawing 13 souls to faith in Christ over the last year.  We celebrate this move of God among our hearts, our homes, and our community.  As we approach revival this year, we must renew our desire to reach those who do not know Christ.

However, if we are going to see God move in the lives of those who do not know him then we must first experience a move of God in our own lives.  In the model prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray for God to forgive us of our debts as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12).  If we are going to see God call the lost to accept his gracious gift of forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ, then we must also be willing to offer this gift to those who have sinned against us. 

I am asking you to seek the Lord for his forgiveness and to confess your unforgiveness to him.  If you are holding on to a grudge, a trespass, an offense, or an issue then I am asking you to turn that over to God and to make things right with those who have offended you.  If you know that you have offended someone else, then I am asking you to go and make that right with them.  Do not wait for them to come to you, but rather, whether you are the offended or the offender, go to them and settle this matter (Matthew 5:23, Matthew 18:15).

Paul tells the Corinthians that they are one body in 1 Corinthians 12.  As a result, any matter of division hurts us all.  Unforgiveness, division, gossip, slander, criticisms, and apathy bring harm to each and every member of the body.  As we prepare for a time of revival in the presence of the Lord, I am asking you to settle your accounts with each other under the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and to forgive the debts we are holding against one another clearing the path for a mighty move of God among our church and our community (Isaiah 52:1-2, Acts 3:19).

God Bless