September 20,
2007
Taking
a Spiritual Examination
“If my people,
who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and
turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their
sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
(NIV)
Devotion:
I don’t have a green thumb, but that
doesn’t keep me from trying to grow plants and flowers. This year, my sister
gave me a beautiful orchid for my birthday. On the card, she joked, “Happy
Birthday. Enjoy the orchid and try not to kill it.”
Not wanting to disappoint my sister,
I took extra care of the plant. I measured the water I gave it, marked the
calendar so I’d remember when to water it again, and I even prayed over it.
Caring for the plant made me consider what my life would be like if I gave this
much attention to my relationship with God.
Often we neglect to care for our
spiritual life. Too often we become apathetic and lazy in our faith. The result
is lost passion and commitment, while self and sin thrive. Too often, we get
nothing out of church. God seems far away, and freedom from bondage seems even
further. I believe that these characteristics describe a Christian who is in
need of a spiritual examination.
I realize that some of us are in a
mess so big that we can’t see a way out. Others have tried and tried to live a
holy life but continue to fall short. There are also those whose faith has
become stagnate, and everyday long for something more. I know. I’ve been there.
Whether we realize it or not, we have neglected some area of our spiritual life.
Our passion and power have dried up. But with God, there is always hope. He can
revive us!
Our key verse tells us how. “If my
people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will
forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV ).
According to this verse, the way out of our struggle is towards God through
personal revival.
What exactly is revival? As one
pastor put it, revival is: “coming to life again. It’s when we go from
indifference to making a difference. It’s when we move from being comfortably
numb to being passionately committed. It’s when we move from an appetite for the
world and self to an appetite for God.”
Friend, I want to share with you a
list of characteristics of a thriving believer that I keep tucked away in my
bible so that I can periodically take a spiritual assessment of
myself:
We need revival
....
... when we do not love God as we
once did.
… when earthly interests and
occupations are more important to us than eternal ones.
…when we would rather watch TV
and read secular books and magazines than read the Bible.
…
when our Christianity is joyless and
passionless.
…
when we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our
lives.
…
when we make little effort to witness to the lost.
…when we have time for sports,
recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study or
prayer.
.
. . when we do not tremble at the power of God.
On the other hand, the characteristics
that take place when revival comes are…
... a
deepened spiritual hunger
... intense
fervent prayer that is enjoyable not dreadful
...
repentance
... reckless
abandonment and surrender to God
... a fresh
fullness of the Holy Spirit
...
spontaneous evangelism and soul winning
... restored
relationships
... a spirit
of thanksgiving and joy
...
increased hunger for God’s Word
... a desire
to put God/church before entertainment
Just like any living thing, without proper
care our spirits wilt. If you and I are smart, we will not neglect our faith.
Daily, we will fall on our knees, confess our sin and seek God. Then, He showers
down upon us fresh Holy Spirit power. Power that changes lives, restores
relationships, brings healing, breaks strongholds, and enables us to live as God
intends…passionate and purposeful.
Dear Lord, I
confess indulging myself in pleasure and comfort. I confess a loss of passion
and love for You. I have neglected my relationship with You and have lost the
wonder of who You are. Oh, Lord, I cry out for forgiveness. I ask that You hear
me, restore me, and heal me. I rejoice that You are the God of more than second
chances. Awaken me, Lord, that I might live in righteousness again, in Jesus’
Name, Amen.
Proverbs
31 Ministries