In studying revival history, one of the many common threads I’ve discovered is that the individuals who were catalytic in igniting revivals around the world had a personal re-awakening, renewal or personal revival.

It was from their full-to-overflowing spiritual tank that they were able to bring something of God into their world.

If we are to lead and be good stewards of a move of God in 2023…how should we (individually) prepare?

Matthew 12:34-35 NKJV

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Let’s spend the rest of this year tending to the condition of our hearts, prepare our hearts for INCREASE and prepare our hearts for MORE!

Psalm 51:10-13 NLT

Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Do not banish me from your presence,

and don’t take your Holy Spirit

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.

Then I will teach your ways to rebels,

and they will return to you.

Psalm 51:16:17 NLT

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.

You do not want a burnt offering.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Let’s do a quick pre-2023 heart check:

HOW SOFT IS OUR HEART?

Hard-hearted people often hide their vulnerabilities behind business…and even worse they dress up their hyperactivity as a ‘sacrifice to God.’

BUT The REAL sacrifice God is looking for is for us to allow the Holy Spirit to break the hardness off of our hearts. To allow the Holy Spirit to clean us up from the inside out! For us to be IN the presence of the Holy Spirit long enough for Him to restore to us the joy of our salvation…

• This is why Worship will be so important in 2023

HOW OPEN IS OUR HEART?

An open makes room for more…

More room for more of the presence of God…

• Intentionally carrying out time for private and corporate worship…

More room for more of the power of God …

• This is making room for saying yes when you are called to activate the gifts of the spirit….praying for healing, giving words of knowledge, offering hospitality, stepping into leadership, prophesying etc….

More room for more of the people of God…

• Is our heart ready to include new and often difficult people?

• Is our heart ready to do the work to keep our friendships strong and healthy?

• Will we be mature enough to keep short accounts, deal with our stuff, and chose not to be offended?

HOW GENEROUS IS OUR HEART?

• What are we willing to give to Jesus? Our time, money, skills, resources etc…