Revival: Fresh Water in a Dry Land

In this Revival UPGRADE, Dawn reminds us that revival is highly personal before it ever passes to others.

Yesterday (6/20/23), I chatted with a good friend about revival. It's a topic I've always loved. But it's more than just "a topic."

God is everywhere-present; but when biblical revival comes, God's people sense His manifest, holy presence in greater, deeper ways.

I so long for that, but I don't pray for it enough. I don't cry out for it, desperate for God to move among us. It's not even a matter of getting weary in well-doing. To be honest, for me, it's the problem of not wanting it enough—not being willing to pay the price of earnest, fervent prayer for revival.

The church as a whole needs revival, not more "revival meetings"—though God may choose some godly servants to help bring revival.

I'm convinced our nation needs to see God's holiness and power in His people once again. It's already seen enough of hypocrisy and lukewarmness.

We are like dry land, parched in wickedness.

Revival is fresh water—Living Water—coursing through us and enlivening everything again.

When revival comes to our heart, the change in us will be a powerful witness to a watching world.

I remember the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10). The non-believer needs this living water, and the Samaritan woman had only to "ask Him" for it. (She did, and the inhabitants of her village noticed the difference! She had a changed heart.)

Likewise, the Christian needs to ask for a revived heart. More than ask. Cry out for it!

Why? One reason is our witness. As one old saint said, "The world waits for a daily demonstration of the Christ who lives in you."

But also, the Christian desperately needs the freshness of revival because "Christian living" can grow old and stale. Sins can pile up. Selfishness can creep in. Self-sufficiency (independence from God) can take over.

I once heard something like this:

Let's stop looking around at the world and others and saying, "Oh my."

Let's allow God's Spirit to search us until we cry in repentance, "OH, ME!"

In other words . . .

• We can't wait for our brothers and sisters to bow in humility. Revival is personal—we need to hoist our own white flag in surrender to God.
• We can't wait for others to clean up their act; we need to allow God's Spirit to sweep our own heart clean.
• We can't wait for our church to cry out for revival; we need to cry out for it ourselves.

Del Fehsenfeld, Jr., the founder of Life Action Ministries—who first whet my appetite for revival in the church—said it this way:

"Revival, no matter how great or small in its ultimate scope, always begins with individual believers whose hearts are desperate for God, and who are willing to pay the price to meet Him."

It indeed involves surrender. As Bill McLeod—a pastor whose church experienced revival in the great Canadian Revival in 1971—said, "When I ask the Lord to fill me with His Holy Spirit I am, of course, relinquishing all rights to the control of my life for that day." I would add, "and every day."

Revival is a blessing, not the sad, negative experience some make it out to be. God loves us and He is good. He longs to draw us to Himself.

The only sad, negative thing about true revival is coming face to face with the ugliness of our sin.

What joy comes when fresh water is poured over a parched soul, trickling down to the depths of sin and washing it away.

God longs to do that in us. He will do that (Isaiah 44:3). Jesus came for that (John 4:14).

There's nothing like a Christian's joy when Christ reigns within. We have the river of life within us. Unlike anything the world offers, Jesus satisfies our thirst with Himself; and as we believe in Him, "rivers of living water will flow from within" (John 7:38)

It's not about DOING more for God to make us love us more or to bring Him pleasure. It's not about activity.

It's about simply BEING with Him and allowing Him to do His work.

The psalmist says, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). God is God and we are not. We cannot imagine what He might do when we seek our Father God for revival.

• Set aside all distractions.
• Bring your restless soul to the throne of God in prayer—cease striving.
• Offer Him your flag of surrender. Come in humility, desiring only His will.
• Confess all known sin—agree with Him that you have sinned (1 John 1:9).
  
• Cry out for revival. Begin (and keep on) crying out in prayer until it comes.
• Proclaim how wondrous God is, and the marvelous salvation He designed.
  

The psalmist continues (46:10), "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." That will be completely true someday; but we can still exalt Him—praise Him, worship Him, obey Him, live sold out lives for Him—today.

And we can best do that with a revived heart.

Here's the kicker:

It's not enough to read about revival or listen to messages about it. It's not enough to acknowledge we need it. It's not enough to preach and teach and write about it. No. We need to CRY OUT for it.

It's not just another activity to add to an already busy life. It's part of our "be-ing" with God.

And yet we are content to let others take on the challenge.

Revivalist Leonard Ravenhill said, "The only reason we don't have revival is because we are willing to live without it!"

Sad, but true. For the church and for individuals.

So what are we going to do about it? I don't know about you, but the Holy Spirit is telling me there is nothing more important for me to do today but to begin crying out for revival in my own life.

Are you crying out for revival? Yes? Praise God! No? Will you begin today?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted. Original is a photo on Soundscapes' television music channels.

How to Walk as a 'Child of Light'

Dawn Wilson reminds us of the greatest transforming UPGRADE we'll ever know. 

Back in July, I read this scripture and was struck by the black-and-white nature of Paul's words to the Ephesian believers:

"... at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. ... and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ...

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:8, 10-11, 15, 17).

Paul was sounding out a warning and a challenge.  

It breaks my heart to hear of so many Christians reading "soft porn" (sometimes called "mommy porn") or watching television programs and movies they would never read or watch if Jesus sat right beside them. (Have they forgotten God is always present with us?)

It's so easy to get sucked into the evils of our culture. We become accustomed to the darkness.

I read a powerful article by Tim Challies about "Television's Rape Epidemic." He mentioned a number of popular television programs that feature rape and other sexual vulgarities. Tim closed his article with these convicting words:

"If Christians won't allow explicit scenes of sexual violence to keep them from watching television shows, what will? If scenes of rape are not over the edge, what is? If we won't draw the line there, will we draw it anywhere?"

I thought back to the controversial novel Fifty Shades of Grey. When it came out, I was amazed to hear about Christians reading the book. Then Hollywood dished up the sexually-explicit Shades of Grey (February, 2015). Christian women bought tickets. 

I'm glad the authors of another book, Pulling Back the Shades, wrote to help women understand they can be both sexual and spiritual. They also called for revival.

"Revival is not about holding our ground," Dannah wrote, "it's about reclaiming territory that has already been lost."

We need revival because we've give our enemy "territory" in our lives. The Bible says, "Give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27). Satan, the enemy of our souls, laughs when we play with sin, and then he becomes our greatest accuser (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:10b).

Before we turned to the Lord and received the gift of Life and Light (John 1:4-5; 8:12), we were part of the darkness. But God always calls His children to come out from the bondage and wickedness that once held them and to live "separate" from sin—separated unto Him (2 Corinthians 6:17). As ambassadors for Christ, we are not to emulate the world (John 17:15-18). We were created to do the good works God has ordained for us (Ephesians 2:10), not to continue living and justifying a wicked lifestyle.

And we can only do that because of God's transforming grace.

I am thankful for the grace of God. He saved me and make me a part of His Kingdom of Light. And as a Child of Light, I am instructed to shine brightly for the Lord (Matthew 5:16) so the world will see my good works and glorify God!

Paul emphasized it this way: live "to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:12). 

God works in us both in salvation and sanctification. I call it The Greatest Upgrade; but it's really a total transformation! Our Father will help us grow and mature in holiness and faith; and as we become more like Jesus, we will walk as "Children of Light."

We all have daily choices that encourage this process:

1. We can ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24a).

2. We can confess and relinquish any sin He reveals to us (I John 1:9; Acts 3:19).

3. We can determine to practice the presence of the Lord (Psalm 139:7; 16:11a).

4. We can pray for a discerning heart (Philippians 1:9-10), asking God to make us more sensitive about sin.

5. We can cultivate a lifestyle of faith and obedience (Psalm 119:11) as we memorize and apply God's Word!

6. We can follow Jesus' example (John 1:9; 8:12), becoming more like "the Light of the World."

7. We especially can use discernment to avoid sin, and when necessary, expose the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).

As Ephesians 5:15 (The Message) says, "... watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times."

God's grace is strong, and He will enable us to walk as a child of Light!

When do you struggle most with the pull of sin? Which of these steps for walking as a holy "child of light" could help you in that battle?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Ministries, is the creator of three blogs: Heart Choices Today, LOL with God (with Pam Farrel), and Upgrade with Dawn. She is President of the San Diego chapter of Network of Evangelical Women in MInistry (NEWIM San Diego). Dawn, co-author of the devotional, LOL with God, also wrote the chapter, "The Blessing Basket" in It's a God Thing. She and her husband Bob have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, Image courtesy of chrisroll / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How to Get Rid of a 'Little g' God

Paula Hendricks is an amazing young woman with a heart for God. She recently wrote the book Confessions of a Boy Crazy Girl, and one chapter in particular caught my attention.

In the midst of stressing to singles how a guy can be an idol, she wrote about “little g” gods in general that become idols, versus pursuing the “big G”—God Himself.

“I’m not the only one tempted to turn back to my idols,” Paula wrote. “Over and over in the Old Testament, God’s people crushed their idols only to remake them and go right back to them.”

Paula’s insights about idol-making make me question why I sometimes allow idols to linger,  unsmashed, in my own life.

She continues …

Turns out, crushing idols and turning to God isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime experience but a moment-by-moment journey. That’s why, nearly every morning, I pray Psalm 90:14: Satisfy [me] in the morning with your unfailing love, that [I] may rejoice and be glad all [my] days.

Thomas Chalmers was a pastor in nineteenth-century Scotland, and his sermon “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection” captured my heart immediately.

The gist of it is that you can’t talk yourself out of loving someone or something. Your emotions simply won’t cooperate. But you can find someone or something even more lovely to delight in.

I experienced this principle firsthand the month my doctor put me on a strict diet without sugar, bread, and lots of other yummy foods. It sounded like torture, pure and simple. I honestly didn’t know how I’d survive. I was certain I’d spend the entire month dreaming about and drooling over iced sugar cookies, Nerds, and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

But an astonishing thing happened. I didn’t even miss my beloved sugar. You know why? Instead of snacking on raw broccoli all month (yuck!), I went to the health-food store, researched interesting recipes, and spent hours in the kitchen preparing unique dishes.

Was it a lot of work? You’d better believe it. But was it even tastier than processed, refined sugar? Absolutely.

That, my friend, is how you get rid of an idol—by investing your time in relishing something (or Someone!) better.

It’s what Psalm 34:8 tells us to do: Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man [and girl] who takes refuge in him!

As you pursue Christ with everything in you—as you put extra effort into tasting and seeing His goodness—you’ll find that your “little g” gods don’t appeal to you like they once did.

What can you start to do today to pursue Jesus with everything in you so that your “little g” gods start to lose their appeal?

Paula Hendricks graduated from the Moody Bible Institute in 2005 with a degree in Print Communication. Two weeks later, she began working at Revive Our Hearts, where she currently serves as Writing and Editorial Manager. Her first book is Confessions of a Boy-Crazy Girl. When Paula isn’t blogging, you’ll find her hanging out with people, indulging her insatiable curiosity by asking lots of questions.