Do I Need Spiritual Revival in My Life? Nothing is more necessary to our joy than a spiritual revival in our own hearts. So much joyful fruit is born in our lives when God sends the fresh wind of revival to our souls. How do I know if I need a spiritual revival in my heart? As I prayed about this question, God brought to my mind ten symptoms of the need for spiritual revival: 1. I know that I need spiritual revival if I have not forgiven someone who has hurt me. 2. I know that I need spiritual revival if I am not pursuing deep, loving relationships with my brothers and sisters in my church family. 3. I know that I need spiritual revival if some specific sin continues to beset my life. 4. I know that I need spiritual revival if I am timid in my witness for Christ to my unsaved family and friends. 5. I know that I need spiritual revival if the cares of this life burden my soul and rob me of my joy. 6. I know that I need spiritual revival if I worry about the future and grumble about the present. 7. I know that I need spiritual revival if I treasure the riches of this world more than the glory of God. 8. I know that I need spiritual revival if fellowship with God does not excite me and is often neglected.
Dr. Ritch Boerckel
9. I know that I need spiritual revival if I do not think very often about the return of Jesus. 10. I know that I need spiritual revival if I think more about what I want to do than what God wants me to do. This list of symptoms is not exhaustive, but I have found it a helpful place to start. When our hearts are not revived we multiply our sorrows and subtract from our joy. What treasure is ours through spiritual revival! When God revives us, our hearts grow big with love for one another in the community of God’s family. When God revives us, others’ sins are forgiven and reconciliation of broken relationships becomes the norm. When God revives us, we acquire holy boldness and fruitfulness in our witness to our unsaved friends and family. When God revives us, we are released from soul-enslaving sins that drown us in guilt and shame. When God revives us, broken relationships in our families begin to heal as forgiveness, kindness and tenderheartedness take root in us. When God revives us, we discover that investing our time and talents in spiritual ministry is never a loss but always a treasured gain. When God revives us, we enjoy our fellowship with Him. When God revives us, we yearn with a singleminded passion the longing to know Him and love Him more and more. Friend, wouldn’t you love the fresh wind of a spiritual revival Continued on page 2.