As we continue our growing together for revival series this month, Jennifer shares with us some essential requirements for revival we all need whether we share the gospel in daily life or seek personal spiritual growth.
Essential Requirements for Revival
by Jennifer Wake
Sitting outside enjoying the Fall colors reminds me of home. Growing up we moved every two to three years. You may be surprised to know this was not because of military orders, but it was because my father set up Xerox around the country. My family finally settled in upstate New York. In the Fall, trees seem to work hard to impress each other by showing off their colors. My mom planted three trees from the seeds of a tree in her parent’s garden. All three maple trees came from the same tree but you would not know it from just looking at them. In the Fall, one turned bright orange, one brilliant red, and the third a rich dark red almost burgundy. Every year it seemed they would compete for the most ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.
My mother loved to sit outside and admire these trees. She loved reminding me just as these trees came from the same source, they turned out different because of the soil, sunlight, and nutrients. When they were little, she taught me how to mulch around them and water them. As they grew, I did less mulching and watering because their roots were strong and deep. It took years for their roots to grow strong enough to find their own nutrients and water sources.
These trees constantly remind me of God’s patience towards the world.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
2 Peter 3:9-10
Even though these trees had unique colors in the fall, each needed water, sunlight and nutrients. These building blocks are important for their very survival. Our eternal salvation also has building blocks, or essential requirements for revival. God desires every person to acknowledge their sin, repent from sin, accept his gift of salvation, and join him in heaven.
As Christians, we are called by God to be ready to share the gospel.
The idea of sharing the salvation message with a friend or a family member can be scary. Just like the years I spent mulching and watering those trees, we need to spend time praying, and learning Scriptures. Spending time praying for our friends and family members allows the Holy Spirit to touch their lives. Just as mulch provided nutrients, spending time learning Scriptures to share the Gospel can provide us with strength to share with those around us.
“I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
Paul shared the gospel everywhere he went. Apollos continued to pour into the people who had heard the gospel. This teamwork is key to developing believers. God may call you to present the gospel or he may call you to pour into people who are new believers. Each of us is called to spread our faith to others.
Jesus does not want anyone to perish.
He patiently waits to return to earth for us to have more time to share the gospel, with people both near and far. God may not call you to go to a distant land to share the gospel like my missionary friends. Instead he calls every Christian to be prepared to share the Good News with those around them. He uses military orders to get us wherever he wants us.
Jesus sent his disciples out into the world around them. He taught them how to share his teachings. He wants us to go into the world around us. Near, far, across the ocean or across the street. No matter where he sends us, he will go with us.
“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”
John 17:11
Move Out
Read: 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Reflect: Which friends or family members do you need to pray for today?
Respond: Review the Romans Road in preparation to share the Gospel with those around you.
All have Sinned Romans 3:23
Consequences of Sin Romans 6:23
Love of God Romans 5:8
Sinner’s response Romans 10:9
Result of Salvation Romans 5:1
Prayer
Lord, I lift up to you my friends and family members who have not yet accepted your gift of salvation. Give me opportunities to share the Gospel with them and boldness to follow through on your promptings. Amen.
