71 Days to Prepare Your Heart...Will You Be Ready?

Brothers,
Consider the following quote from Winston Churchill:

"To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared and unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour."

Could the revival conference be one of these special moments in your life? With the days counting down, how can we make sure that our hearts are prepared for what God will reveal to us in October? In line with Bill's previous post, a great place to start is to pray with the Psalmist,

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Ps.139:23,24

Let us trust God to do His work and reveal to us anything that is hindering His Spirit's work in our lives. Once revealed, the next question is directed to us: Are we willing to do whatever is necessary to deal with these wicked ways? I recently heard the testimony of a pastor who was present in the revival that swept Western Canada in the early 70's. He stated that revival is for the Christian. God has no problem saving sinners if he can just get the Body of Christ on praying ground...willing to deal quickly and decisively with any sin revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Any man considering the journey to Canton must first take the journey deep into his own heart and be willing to do the hard work of confronting what is revealed to him there. I pray that the Spirit will restrain any man from coming who is willingly hardening his heart against the Spirit's revelation. The stakes are simply too high and who knows what the future holds? Perhaps we are on the brink of God once again pouring out his love and power on His church. If it is to be, we must remember Peter's caution:

"For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God: and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?" I Peter 4:17

I confess that many times I have kept God at arm's length because of fear. I fear what it will mean to MY reputation and MY status, and MY pride...to let God have His way completely in my life. As I prepare for the revival conference I recognize so much selfish pride that God must deal with. I must be prepared to go to Canton completely and wholeheartedly sensitive only to the Holy Spirit. I cannot worry about what even my closest brothers will think of me...I must be prepared to hear from God and then respond. I am so encouraged to have you with me on this journey.

Let us continue to hold one another up in prayer.

Your brother in the battle, Steve