This church's problem is probably true of much of the Western church. We have so much materially and so little spiritually. We are lukewarm. But God has not given up on us and he hasn't given up on you. Jesus stands at the door of your heart and is knocking. He is appealing for you to listen for his voice and let him take over. He wants to bring personal revival to you.

Christians have a strong foundation in God's love The gospel is saturated with God's love for us and his grace in sending Jesus to live, die and rise for us. We do not become Christians by doing good stuff, but by receiving God's love in Jesus. Saving love is our foundation. But it is only the start. There is so much more to grasp about God's love.

Praying for Gods power

Peter's denial of the Lord Jesus was a great tragedy. After he boasted that he would never fall away, he denies Jesus publically. But Peter's tears were not merely tears of remorse-they indicated a true sorrow and turning from sin. It was not until he saw Christ's face and remembered His words that Peter grasped the seriousness of his sin and repented.

You cannot separate repentance and revival. Because personal revival brings a new holiness and closeness with God, it is always preceded by repentance and maintained by repentance. As James said, "friendship with the world is enmity with God" (Jam. 4:4). So we can't be close friends with God and allow the world into our lives. The only way to stop sin getting a grip and destroying our friendship with God is continual repentance.

The more we stay connected with Jesus, the more fruit we will see. What does it mean to remain in Jesus? It is staying closely connected with Jesus so that we hear and obey his voice (15:7). It is having Jesus as an intimate friend. It is staying right with God and loving to follow him. These are the foundational elements of personal revival. We need to remain in Jesus. God empowers us as we remain in the Jesus vine. It is not just that we have a pleasant relationship with Jesus and are kept safe from the fire. We will bear "much fruit" and find that whatever we ask for will be answered.

I wonder what Moses looked like after spending time with God. His appearance changed so much that people were afraid to come too close to him. But Moses' radiant face was merely a symbol of the beauty and power and holiness of God that rubbed off on him as he talked with God his friend. He was transformed by the presence of God and his followers could plainly see it.

Adam and Eve enjoyed a special relationship with God. They would walk in the Garden and they would share and chat with him. These were special times. This was always God's plan. To have a deep, open, unashamed, loving relationship with his children. In many ways this is a glimpse of what happens in revival. God restores the intimacy and tenderness of the Garden. We want to be close to God. We want to share with him. We want to walk by his side.

Things I've Learnt - Dry Bones Coming to Life

Leaning in on the Love of God