By: admin On: January 10, 2012 In: Revive, Revive Me Comments: 1
Revive MeIt was just about a year ago today, that I was reading Psalm 119. As I continued to read benefit after benefit of the Word of God, I was overwhelmed with gratitude to God for giving me such a love for His Word.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and the theme is the goodness, greatness and glory of God’s Word. God’s Word is referred to in almost every verse! 

With my passion and love for women’s ministry, I looked back at my own spiritual journey to see what played a part in stoking the fires of my continuing hunger for His Word.

Revive MeA huge part of that influence was what I like to call “mentors from afar”.  One of those women in particular came to mind and her name is Kay Arthur.  In obedience to God’s prompting I got up from where I was reading, took a great step of faith, and sent an e-mail inviting her to come to Vista, California.  Much to my surprise, (but certainly not God’s) her answer was YES!

And so today Monday, January 9th, 2012 we start on our journey of revival.  I am praying that God will revive each one of our hearts as we take our time and dig deep into the truths of Psalm 119 to prepare our hearts for the conference coming in September.

I am so excited that you have decided to join me on my journey and whether you are able to attend the conference or not (praying you will all be there) your love and passion for God’s Word will grow! Your desire and hunger for His Word will become “contagious” and spill out over every woman you come in contact with. The Psalmist rightly cries out in verse 25:

“My soul clings to the dust, revive me according to your Word.” God will certainly answer a prayer like that!
Taking It In
And so we begin today looking at the word “revive”. 

We are familiar with it, we talk about it, we even pray to be revived, but do we really know what it means? 

We know to revive someone medically means you bring them back to life.  Make no mistake; the same is true about reviving one spiritually.

The word used for revive in the Old Testament ischaya” {khaw-yaw’}  which means to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, to live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health. 

Revive occurs in the New Testament as the translation of “anazao” {an-ad-zah’-o} which means “to live again”.

So the first question we ask ourselves today is, “Am I alive”?  We need to be honest and humble as we answer that question so that God can fully work in our lives.
Not merely surviving, or getting through life, but AM I ALIVE – is my spirit quickened by the very thought of God, do I jump out of bed in the morning excited to read His Word?  Is there an enthusiasm to share what I just read this morning with others throughout my day? Are you walking in this world, or above it? Do you love God’s people more and more each day?  Are you developing a burden for the lost?

It may be that none of the answers to those questions are yes – but don’t be discouraged because God’s Word has the power to restore, to bring you back to life, to quicken your spirit, to cause you to live in abundance and to refuse mediocrity.  God is more than willing to do that for you and for me.  But first we must be willing to let go of anything that might be quenching His Spirit in our lives — for revival is a work of God’s Word and Spirit bringing us back to life!

Making it Meaningful
Revive Me
Look up the following Scriptures and write each one out.  What do you learn about the word “revive” in each instance?  These verses are sure to help you develop a true and real understanding of the word.  As you finish looking up each one, summarize your thoughts in your journal.  (This would be a good time to start a “REVIVE ME” journal to chronicle your time through Psalm 119).

Restoration to life

Genesis 45:27

Judges 15:19
Rebuilding

Nehemiah 4:2

Restoration to well being

Psalm 85:6

To Quicken

Psalm 138:7

Isaiah 57:15

Hosea 6:2

Hosea 14:7

Habakkuk 3:2 people

New Testment

Romans 7:9
Romans 14:9

Working it into Your Heart

As you conclude, turn in your Bible to Ephesians 4:25-32.  Pray this passage out loud to God and ask Him to reveal by His Spirit any of these sins that may be hindering you from experiencing the fullness of life which He offers us each and every day!

From here on out until September you will receive your “REVIVE ME” devotion every Monday which gives you all week to study, ponder and digest!  Feel free to share your journey with me by e-mailing me at mhill@wmconnection.org.  If you would like I would love to post it on my blog at wmconnection.blogspot.com.  Feel free also to pass this along to friends and family!

If they would like to be added to my mailing list have them send an email to mhill@wmconnection.org with the words “REVIVE ME” in the subject line.

1 Comments:

  • Judy Scharfenberg
    January 23, 2012

    Margy dear, this is wonderful. Oh, it's what we all need, but especially me. Please add me to your list. I will begin today. Thank you dear, I know you spent time laboring over God's Word to move us. God bless you this day. Judy Scharfenberg

    Reply

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