Day 40 What Does Jesus Think?

PRAY
Consider praying today that God will help your congregation understand how He views it and what He wishes to see happen for your church to move into a season of new life and ministry and be an influence for Christ in your community. Pray that God would help you to let go of your ideas and opinions of what needs to happen in your church and seek what Jesus wants. 

Read Revelation 3:1-6
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.’”

Your church is evaluated every week. The first time guests who visit have an opinion about your church. The senior adults who attend have convictions about the life and ministry of your congregation. The young families have some thoughts as well. The community in which your church is located also has something that comes to mind when they think of your church.

These opinions are varied and may have some merit. The opinion, or rather judgment, that matters most is the one offered by Jesus, the Head of the church. Jesus has some thoughts concerning your congregation, and the road to revival begins with seeking Jesus’ view of your church.

Are you more concerned with your view or opinion of your church or the view that Jesus has of your church? How does your congregation’s perception of your church’s effectiveness differ from the perspective of Jesus?

Day 39: Strengthen What Remains

PRAY
Would you pray today that God would reveal to you and others in your church those areas where your congregation is strong. Ask God to help you build on that area of strength for His glory and the good of the church and the community where God has placed you.

Read Revelation 3:1-6
“Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God.”

After Jesus had evaluated the church at Sardis and given his assessment, He then gave them a divine action plan. Christ said to, “Strengthen the things which remain.” It sounds as if there were some things in the church that were good and pleasing to God but which
needed attention before they lost their vitality.

Most churches have one or more areas of strength. Some congregations are great mission churches which go on mission trips and give money to missions. Others are really good at welcoming outsiders in and making them feel loved and valued without feeling judged by people. Some are great worshipping congregations where folks are invited into the presence of God through singing and other means.

Are you able to identify one or more areas of strength for your congregation?

Day 38: Raise the Temperature

PRAY
Pray that God would show you areas in your faith that you have grown lukewarm. Ask God to help you and your church to be on fire for Him!

Read Revelation 3:14-22
“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.

As a result of a bad meal, a curvy road, or a contagious virus, you feel sick at your stomach. Feeling nauseated is uncomfortable. Jesus challenged the Laodicean church on several points. The church's condition left Him nauseated. Jesus is not pleased with a lukewarm church. What led the Laodicean church to be lukewarm? God’s people thought they were self-sufficient. Jesus wasn’t really needed on a day-to-day basis. In fact, He was standing outside of the church, knocking on the door, and hoping to be invited back in.

Generally not in words, but at least in actions, many churches rely on their structures, staff, and strategies rather than on Christ Jesus. The church’s Redeemer is left standing outside the fellowship, desiring to be welcomed back in. There’s hope for a lukewarm church. Jesus gives His people an opportunity to repent and change directions.

Is the church you serve dependent on the presence and power of Jesus Christ? What about you? Are you lukewarm? What changes do you need to make in order to be on fire for God?

Day 37 Obey His Marching Orders

PRAY
Reflect on how you’ve responded to the Great Commission. Have you and your church treated Jesus’ command as optional or mandatory? May you allow the Lord to use
you to impact the nations for His glory!

Read Matthew 28:16-20
“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”

In military circles, when a high-ranking officer speaks, people listen and follow directions. Our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ, has spoken and called His church to action. The Great Commission is not optional or suggestive in nature. Jesus expects His followers to obey His marching orders. Our marching orders begin at home and extend to the ends of the earth. The Great Commission is the mission mandate for every church, regardless of the church’s structure, size, or style.

In the act of going, Jesus hasn’t called His people to merely record decisions. He has commanded that His people make disciples. A disciple is a learner and follower of Christ. Is the church you serve intentional about making disciples? Our Commander-in-Chief refuses to send His followers into the mission field alone. He promises to always be with us.

You and I have been called to attention and given an assignment that can change lives, marriages, families, churches, and nations. Let’s not disobey our Commander-in-Chief’s marching orders!

Day 36: Look for God!

PRAY
Pray that God would be the center of your life and your church. Pray that God would reveal any changes you need to make in order for this to happen. Ask God to help you and your church reflect His  presence to a lost world so that even unbelievers would know that "God is really among you."

Read 1 Corinthians 14:24-25
“and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, ‘God is really among you.’ ”

What would you say is the most important thing about your church?

For many people the answer would be this church meets my spiritual, emotional, or relational needs. In the text we read today, we find what I think is the best response to the question “What do you say is important to this church?” We are given a picture of an unbeliever that enters a worship gathering and discovers the truth about a Savior and shouts “God is really among you!” How great if this could be said about every church in our land. In what ways in your church showing that God is really among you?

In a healthy church God is the center of everything that is done and He should be the center of our lives individually as well. What changes do you need to make in order for God to be the center of your life, marriage, work, family and church?

Day 35: See The Power of God

PRAY
Spend time praying that God will move in your life to bring revival, repentance and spiritual growth. Pray that God will show you thoughts, attitudes and actions that are not pleasing to Him and help you to change. Pray that God will move in your church like never before. Pray that God will do something that only He can do!

Read Jeremiah 32:17
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you”.

Nothing is too hard for God! This verse acknowledges God as the Creator, and emphasizes God's power and wisdom. It serves as a reminder that God has the ability to control and sustain all things. God is full of power and we can tap into that power through prayer. Isn't it awesome to know right now that we can pray to God about any challenge or situation that we are facing and not only does He hear us but He has the power to give us just what we need?

Jeremiah is a wonderful example of a man who maintained a lifelong trust in God, despite facing incredible hardships. God desires that kind of trust from us as well. We can be confident that when we pray to God He will answer in just the right way. He has the power to give us just what we need.

What areas of you life do you need to see God move? How do we need to see God move in our church? Remember nothing is too difficult for Him! 

Day 34: Schedule a Church Check-up

PRAY
A church is only as healthy as its members. Pray that the Lord would show you what changes you need to make to help your church become more healthy.

Read Acts 11:19-30
“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord”.

Are your life, marriage, family, and career healthy? What about your church? The church in Antioch was healthy and strong. News about the church reached Jerusalem. It’s a fact that people will talk about the church (good or bad).

Barnabas reported that he saw the “grace of God” when he arrived in Antioch. What are people saying about the church you serve? As people attend your church, do they see the “grace of God” at work? It is up to all members of the church to do their part in making the church healthy.

What signs distinguish a healthy church? A healthy church…

1. Expects commitment. There should be a high expectation of members to do their part and not be spiritually lazy. Persecution couldn’t even stop the witness of early believers. Church members today sadly won't do much that is costly or inconvenient for them.
2. Shares Jesus. Early believers didn’t talk about the economy, sports, or Hollywood. Jesus was the subject of their conversations.
3. Welcomes change. The church in Antioch saw the Lord change lives, marriages, and families. The church’s message must never change. However, methods need to change as the Lord leads.
4. Serves together. Barnabas needed Saul’s help to teach the believers in Antioch. Healthy churches embrace a “team” approach to ministry.
5. Disciples believers. Barnabas and Saul taught a great number of believers for one year. Healthy churches never separate evangelism and discipleship.
6. Practices generosity. A worldwide famine convicted the early believers to give. Generosity is a must in a healthy church.
7. Trusts leaders. The Antioch church trusted Barnabas and Saul. Leadership trust is essential in healthy churches.

Are you doing your part to make sure your church is a healthy church? Are you more concerned about what your church can do for you or what you can do for you church?

Day 33: Love One Another

PRAY
Ask God to help you love your brothers and sisters in Christ as He has loved you.

Read John 13:34-35
“… I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.”

In the Upper Room, Jesus gave some final instructions to His apostles whom He would soon leave. He began that final lecture by challenging His disciples to love one another as He had loved them. Addressing this issue first in the Upper Room, speaks to the importance of it.

Love and unity in the church are critical to revival. Jesus stated that all people would know we are His disciples by our love for one another.  Some of our churches are stagnate or in decline due to their lack of genuine love for one another and subsequent disunity. A watching world wonders if it can be loved by a group of people who do not seem to love
one another. This disunity is actually one of the tactics that Satan uses to make the church ineffective.

In The Mark of the Christian, Francis Schaffer states that the love of Christ in the lives of believers is what sets them apart from the world. He concludes that the world has a right to judge the authenticity of Christ’s claims to be the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of God, by what they see in the lives of His followers. Is Jesus the One who can change lives? Are the lives of His followers different than those of the world? Do they truly love one another in difficult times? Do you live in unity and love with other Christians?

Day 32: Build Up The Church

PRAY
Pray today for God to show you your spiritual gifts and how He wants you to use them to build up His church!

Read 1 Corinthians 14:6-12
“since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.”

In these verses Paul is speaking to young Christians in Corinth. There is some desire to have certain spiritual gifts. Paul reminds the people here that spiritual gifts are used to build up the church.

One of the problems in the church today is people do not know their spiritual gifts. The Bible teaches that each person is given at least one spiritual gift from God.

HAVE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT(s)?

The other problem related to spiritual gifts in the church is the lack of people using their gift(s). If you know your spiritual gifts, then how are you using them in the church? If God gives us these gifts, He expects us to use them!

Many pastors I speak with tell me about their great need for workers in the church. If we are putting our gifts to work, then the church would have all the workers it needs, right?

A revitalized church is one that is using the spiritual gifts of all members to build up the body of the church and reach that community for Christ.

If you do not know what your spiritual gifts are, please take a few moments to take this inventory. NOTE: This is a simple tool and can only give you an idea of what your spiritual gifts are; it can not give you a definitive answer. https://ebcrochester.org/misc/php/LifeWaySpiritualGiftsSurvey.php

31: Discover and Do Your Part

PRAY
Consider praying today a prayer of re-surrender. Maybe you could offer yourself to God the way you did when you first came to Him. Maybe also you could ask God for personal direction in how to live out your Christian service to the fullest in the place where He has put you to serve and grow.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-7
“A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial.”

There are two essential truths that should be vocalized and magnified as a church desires to move into revival. Those truths are that every person has a part, and that one person really can make a difference. 1 Corinthians 12 teaches that God gives a spiritual ability to every member of His church. God indwells us in the form of the Holy Spirit and empowers us to serve the body in some important way. That explains the first truth.

The second truth is also vital: one person really can make a difference. Many of us feel helpless when it comes to church wide revival because we think the entire congregation will never get on board. While congregational buy-in and unity matter, it is also true that one person can make a huge difference as he or she serves God whole-heartedly in the church to which he or she belongs. One person who will witness, pray, give, serve, love and live for Christ will inspire and impact others as well as be used by, and blessed by, God in his or her faithfulness. Instead of waiting for others to join in, decide today to be one person who will make a difference.

Honestly ask yourself if you are doing your part within the body of Christ? As a Christian, this should be one of your top priorities in life. Will you surrender yourself afresh today to Jesus in hopes of being used to revitalize your congregation?

Day 30: Become a Church Cheerleader

PRAY
Pray today that God will show you ways you can support your church vocally with encouraging words and joyfully participate in the life of your church as you move toward congregational revival.

Read Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging
each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

The job of a cheerleader is to support the team and call the fans to action. Fans at a ball game can really make a difference as they cheer their team on to fight for victory. In church, while each of us has a part on the team, we also have a part like that of a fan. Sometimes we are in the game, while at other times we are in the stands cheering for those who are working hard for the sake of Christ’s mission.

We cheer each other on when we affirm the way God is using one of our brothers or sisters in the work of ministry. We cheer our team when we amen the truth brought out by our pastor. We cheer the team when we participate joyfully in worship and greeting the guests. We spur the team onto ministry greatness when we participate in the life, ministry and activities of the church with a joyful heart and not a reluctant spirit. The positive attitude of one person can make a real difference as that individual vocalizes his or her support of the team in the hallways and gatherings of the congregation.

What is coming up, or happening now, in the life of your church for which you can offer your vocal support?

Day 29: Love Your Leaders

PRAY
This would be a good day to pray for your pastor and other ministry leaders. You might consider praying that God would fill them with the Holy Spirit, restoring the joy of their salvation, affirming them in their calling, and refocusing them on the mission at hand.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:3-4
For whenever someone says, “I’m with Paul,” and another, “I’m with Apollos,” are you not unspiritual people?”

The Corinthian Christians had division in the church because of different leadership personalities that God had used in their congregational life. The members picked which side they were on to the exclusion of the people who preferred the other leaders. Paul pointed out their error and challenged them to put away carnal favoritism. We would do well today to honor and submit to the Christ-like leadership that God has set before us today.

Being a pastor or church leader is not as glamorous as it may seem. Often pastors are expected to be superhuman and are held to unattainable standards. They deal with criticism, rejection, burn out, disappointment and loneliness. Many times they have to do the behind the scenes jobs that no one else knows about- often times without the respect they deserve. Only God can give our pastors the supernatural strength and wisdom they need to be effective leaders.

You are called to pray for, encourage, and follow the leadership of your church.
What is one thing you can do this week to honor your church pastor and other leaders?

Day 28: Pursue Church Unity

PRAY
Would you pray today that God will help you be a person of peace in your congregation? Consider praying that God will give you a peace-making, conciliatory spirit to aid your
church as it moves forward toward revival.
Read Psalm 133:1-3
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”

There are not many things more discouraging, or distasteful, than a heated church business meeting over a trivial issue. At the moment, when tensions are high and voices are raised, the ugly side of the church comes out. One of Satan's tactics is the discourage, distract and disunify the body of Christ.

In the local church, we have an obligation to live at peace with one another. We may not be best friends with everyone in the body but we should have a genuine love and concern for each other. We should put aside judgements, preconceived notions and any conflict. We should do our best to be a team player and be involved in the ministries and life of the church in a unified manner.

Consider the beauty and pleasing atmosphere created in the vision described in Psalm 133. When a congregation is unified around knowing and serving God in the fulfillment of His purpose and vision for the church it is a beautiful thing. Not only is God pleased with appropriate church unity, but also the people of God are pleased and enabled to experience more of the power of the Holy Spirit in their work for the Lord.

In what ways are you seeking to promote unity in your church? Are your words full of love and grace or judgement and gossip? And is there anyone in your church family with whom you need to seek Christian reconciliation?

Day 27: Consider What Others Think

PRAY
Consider praying today that God will give you opportunities to listen to the heart and desires of others in your church. Pray that you can humbly look out for the good of others within the body of Christ.

Read Romans 15:1-3
“Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up”.

A church is a family made up of people who belong to God through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. Each person in the church has an opinion about what he or she would like to see happening or not happening in his or her church. Trouble arises when those opinions clash and some are getting their way while others are not.

Romans 15:2 tells us to make it our aim to please others in the church. Trouble decreases when the members seek to join together around a mission and vision rather than each one pursuing his or her own desires. One way to consider the needs of others is to genuinely listen to the opinions of others while praying ultimately for God's will to be done. Peace in the family is enhanced when we lovingly consider the needs and desires of others in the family.

In what ways are you seeking to promote the interest of others in your church?

Day 26: Seek God First

PRAY
Take Jesus’ challenge and seek the Father’s kingdom first. Ask God to help you see your life, job, marriage, family, and ministry from His perspective.

Read Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

A bank statement, a day planner or cell phone often reveals our priorities. Misplaced priorities generally lead to hurt and confusion in our lives, marriages, families, and churches. Jesus gave His followers a simple and conditional promise. If believers would make the Father’s kingdom a priority, then they would lack for nothing in life. That’s a priceless guarantee! Unmet needs may be an indication that our priorities are out of order.

Seeking God first says that we’re dependent on Him, that we’re desperate for Him, and that we’re dedicated to Him. This is a great way to live and serve the Lord. We need to see our decisions in all aspects of our life from God’s perspective.

As you consider your life, job, marriage, hobbies, family, and church, are you seeking
God first? What decisions are you facing at this moment that need direction from the Lord?

Day 25: Love Jesus above All

PRAY
Tell Jesus how much you love Him. If needed, repent for allowing your love for Him to grow cold.

Read Revelation 2:1-7
“… But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love you had at first.”

The final line of the refrain from my favorite childhood hymn is, “Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me.” When sung from a true heart, it is a beautiful offering of worship to our Lord. Our love for Jesus should not only be hailed in our worship, it should be the motivating factor for everything we claim to do for Him.

The church at Ephesus outwardly appeared to be a wonderful congregation. Jesus Himself pointed out their hard work, faithful endurance, worthy walk, and doctrinal integrity. The problem was that these works were performed out of duty, rather than out of love for the
Savior. Though they did not know it, the Ephesian Christians needed revival. They were running the risk of losing their light for the Lord.

Many believers are wearing themselves out with a manic schedule of church programming while seeing few results. In their harried lifestyle of “Christian” activities they do not spend time cultivating their love for Jesus. They need a revival of the heart. They need to heed the words of Christ, “Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:5a).

Is your love for Jesus the motivation for your work for Him?

Day 24: Pursue the Keys to Healing

PRAY
Ask God to help you and others in your church to humbly walk with Him, prayerfully depend upon Him, diligently seek His face, and honestly repent of sin that hinders fellowship with Him.

Read 2 Chronicles 7:12-14
“(If) My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

Excitement and optimism ruled the day. After seven years of construction, the Temple was built and dedicated. God’s presence was manifested in an unusual way. Fire fell from heaven to consume the sacrifice and God’s glory filled the Temple.

Later, God appeared to Solomon at night and told him that not every day would be like the day of dedication. There would be days when, in an effort to draw His errant people back to Himself, God would send drought and pestilence.

At such a time, God told Solomon His people were to pursue four keys to healing: humility, prayer, seeking of God’s face, and repentance. Today God’s people are His church.  Are you pursuing revival with the keys of humility, prayer, seeking God’s face, and repentance?

Day 23: Choose Your Side

PRAY
Consider praying today that God will help you align yourself with His vision for your church. Pray that His desires for your congregation, in the community where He has placed you, would be reflected through your words, actions, and attitudes.

Read Joshua 5:13-15
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.” Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in worship and asked Him, “What does my Lord
want to say to His servant?”

When Joshua, preparing for the heat of battle, saw a human figure with sword drawn, he naturally went to the man and asked if he was for them or against them. The man, who Joshua soon discovered to be an earthly appearance of God, answered that he was not for them or against them, but instead the Captain of the Lord’s army. Joshua appropriately bowed down and worshipped him.

Many times, it is possible for us to begin to choose sides within the church. We distinguish between those who are for our vision and those who are not . A better route is to make sure we personally are lined up with the Lord. We will know that we are with God when our desires for His church match His desires as seen in Scripture, when we are submissive to God-ordained leadership, and when our actions and attitudes reflect Christ-like character.

So based on the above listed criteria, are you for God and His vision for the church?

Day 22: Discern God’s Plan

PRAY
Pray today asking God to reveal to you and to other church members what God envisions for the future of our church. Share your willingness to yield to what He wants. Prayerfully consider this question: How do you want our church to carry out the Great Commission in our context?

Read Matthew 6:9-15
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

In this passage Jesus teaches us how to pray. Each portion of His teaching gives us an important aspect of prayer. Verse 10 reminds us that God has a plan for our church. Our church is a part of God’s kingdom. His desire is that His kingdom penetrates neighborhoods, communities, cities, and ultimately the world with the gospel. When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we are praying for God to work in and through our church to extend His kingdom.

When God views our church, He sees it’s potential. God knows what our church can and should become in the future. We call that God's perfect plan. He loves our church so much He doesn’t want it to remain where it is today. He has in mind a perfect plan for our future.

When we pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” we are asking God to reveal to us what He envisions for us. Through prayer we discern “next steps.” When entering into a time of revival, the voice we need to hear above all others is the voice of God through prayer.

Day 21: Strengthen Your Faith in the God Who Revives

PRAY
Ask God to increase your faith as you continue to pray for revival in your life and in your church. Ask God to do what only He can do. 

Read Ezekiel 37:1-14
This is what the Lord God says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.

Parched and bleached by the sun, the brittle bones scattered across the valley presented a vision that summoned two words to the prophet’s mind—death and discouragement. The only thing more discouraging than the vision itself was the fact that God’s own people were represented by these abandoned bones. They had died, and their revitalization required significant intervention by God.

This vision challenged Ezekiel’s faith. God asked him an unthinkable question, “Son of man, can these bones live?” He replied, “Lord God, only You know.” Ezekiel’s response revealed his thought, “If these dried bones live again, it will require a miracle from You, God.”

In the vision, God did what only He could do. As Ezekiel preached, the bones came together, were wrapped by muscle and skin, and those corpses were resuscitated. The dry bones lived! Likewise, Israel was revived and restored.

There is a lesson we need to learn. God delights Himself in revitalizing that which seems to be dry and lifeless. Do you believe by faith that what God did in Ezekiel’s vision and for Israel, He can do for your church?

Day 20: Rely on God’s Power

PRAY
As for you, make a commitment to be in His Word and pray daily.  Encourage others in your church to do the same then see how your church responds.  You will see a great power from God envelop your church toward revival. Spend time praying that you and others can honor the commitment to do what it takes to plug into the power of God!

Read 1 Corinthians 4:16-20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

What is powering your church? This question triggers many different answers.  Some may say people, some say preaching; others say great programs and ministries, one or two might even say a great building or location. Yet some churches have plugged into sources that will never power a church.

The Word of God tells us that the Kingdom of God is not powered by words.  We can use words to try to get people motivated, but the reality is that words without action are of no lasting value.  Someone once said, “Words are cheap.”

One of the great characteristics of God is that He has great power.  For our church to be revived we must plug into the power that comes from GOD!

How much God power are you currently using?  Throughout His Word we find God using supernatural power to sustain His people, and He still does!

How much God power is your church currently using?  God wants to be the power source of your church!  God wants His children to plug into the power of His Word.  Are you spending time in His Word daily?  God wants His children to spend time in prayer.  Are you spending time daily talking with Him and listening to Him?

Day 19: Be Salt

PRAY
 Pray that God will give you strength and wisdom to be a good influence for Him.

Read Matthew 5:13-14
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.

As followers of Jesus we have the potential to influence.  We have the potential to influence others for good.  Our lives when lived for Christ, can encourage others to glorify God (Matthew 5:16).  We have the potential to influence others in a negative way (Luke 17:1-3).  To influence others for Christ is to be “salt.”  To influence others in negative ways is to be “salt that has lost its taste.”  

When we face the extremes of warm summers and cold winters, we understand the importance of a thermostat.  When a room is hot we adjust the thermostat and it works in connection with the air conditioner to adjust the temperature in the room.  We could say that the thermostat influences the room.  We can place a thermometer in that same room and the thermometer would be influenced by the temperature of the room.  If the room was warm, the thermometer would adjust to the surrounding temperature. As the salt of the earth we are called to influence for Christ not be influenced by our surroundings. Is your daily life and witness more like a thermometer or a thermostat?

Day 18: Begin with Brokenness

PRAY
Pray that God will give you a brokenness that will lead to true revival in your life and in the life of your church. Like Nehemiah ask honest questions, accept reality and act now.

Read Nehemiah 1:1-11
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Brokenness is often what God uses to reveal vision and begin revival. Nehemiah serves as an example of a leader who was broken over a city and its people. Enemies destroyed the wall around Jerusalem, leaving the city in a vulnerable position. The people were in great trouble and disgrace. Nehemiah sought God’s heart and followed His leadership. He was available for God to use.

Nehemiah painted a clear picture for us of how brokenness can lead to revival: 

1. Nehemiah asked questions. He wanted to know about the city and its people. What questions do you need to ask? Is your church in need of revival? Are the people committed to sharing Jesus and developing believers in the faith? When was the last time you baptized a new believer? 
2. Nehemiah accepted reality. He heard the news that the wall was broken down, and the people were in trouble. Do you need to accept reality? Are there things in your life or in your church that need to change in order for God to move? 
3. Nehemiah acted now. He cried, prayed, fasted, and surrendered. What do you need to do now that will lead to revival in your own life and in your church? Do you need to cry, pray, fast, and surrender?

Are you broken over the “current reality” of things in your life and in your church that are not pleasing to God?

Day 17: Be a Servant  

PRAY
Pray asking God to show you ways you can serve the Body of Christ through your church. Ask God to give you the best understanding of where to serve in the church.  Also pray that your church understands their BEST place to serve as the Hands and Feet of Christ in your community.  

Read Mark 10:42-45
And whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all.

In one of the churches I have been part of there was a lady named Ruth who was a remarkable servant.  Many people that did not know her name called her the “tea lady.”  In that role she would serve drinks at every church social.  Ruth’s smile was remarkable and her heart to serve others was remarkable as well.  

In churches today, there are many who would be labeled people of influence. These folks make a lot of the decisions of direction.  There are also those folks that talk a lot without any real direction.  The church is made up of many different types of individuals with varying characteristics but few like Ruth that love to serve others.

Jesus tells us that many want to control others, but He has called us to be “ministers” (KJV) or “servants.”  For church revitalization to become part of your church, servants are needed.  Servants that will give their time to impact people with their hands.  The value of servanthood is critical as we seek church turn around.  Let us never confuse leading with serving the needs of others.  Ruth’s smile and her work just to pour a drink made a huge impact on the lives she touched.   What ways do you serve others in your church?  

Day 16: Be a Peacemaker  

PRAY
Is there conflict or disunity in your church? In your family? At your work? Ask God to help you to become a peacemaker in all aspects of your life.

READ Matthew 5: 9
The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God.

We see so much unrest in our world even to the point of conflict.  When conflict erupts, hate wins!  Sides are drawn and people are placed into two or more groups.  When conflict permeates a people, we see trust broken and lives affected for years.

In the church today we see the same thing; people chose sides and conflict impacts the church.  When conflict happens inside the church, the only winner is Satan.  Most church conflict has little to do with biblical issues and more to do with individual choices such as building preferences, music style, programs and other practices.

Jesus teaches us that peacemakers are needed. The actions of a few can cause the church to lose its effectiveness in the community.  The conflict side of church has divided family, friends and neighborhoods.  Conflict holds bondage where peace gives freedom.

For a church to find revitalization there must be peace in the body and peace in our personal lives. We must find ways to bring about peace in the body.