By Abel Ukachi Amadi

Text: Joel 2:12–13: Habakkuk 3:2
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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,” (KJV).

It is no exaggeration to say that the one clamant need of the present hour is revival. The Breath of God must once more vitalise the valley of dry bones. God is always willing to produce revivals. Jeremiah 33:3 says: “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” To experience revival again, there are conditions to be satisfied. Revival starts with repentance. The very first act of obedience of any human being to God must consist in repentance and breaking with every known sin. Breaking with sin means breaking with any “bad” habit, with any mode of life or any practice, which dishonours the Lord. It means the ceasing to take pleasure in worldly friends and companions. “Evil communications corrupt good manners,” (1Corinthians 15:33). The whole of the old life is to be surrendered to the Cross, so that the life of Christ also may be manifested in us. Scriptural breaking with sin mean a complete change of your tastes, and views, and aims of life. 1Corinthians 6:19 (NIV):“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.”

There are obstacles to revival. There is only one obstacle that can block up the channel and choke God’s power, and that is“sin.” Sin is the great barrier; it alone can hinder the work of the Spirit and prevent a revival. “If I regard iniquity in my heart,” declared David, “The Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18.) And in Isaiah 59:12, we have these significant words: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Sin is the great barrier, and it must be put away. There can be no compromise. God will not work as long as there is iniquity covered up. Nothing short of a broken heart over sin, full confession and restitution will satisfy God. Sin must be forsaken utterly.

In 2Chronicles 7:14 the promise of blessing is vouchsafed, based, however, upon unalterable conditions and that is to humble ourselves before God and turn away from our wicked ways.

True revival is the greatest church’s need. A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. Let the church arise, and repent of her backslidings before God. Let the watchmen awake, and give the trumpet a certain sound. God commands His servants, “cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins,” (Isaiah 58:1). • Today’s nugget: Revival is the greatest church’s need. Prayer: Lord I repent from my wicked ways. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected], Rev. Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.

The church must arouse to action. The Spirit of God can never come in until she prepares the way. There should be earnest searching of heart and humility before God.

• Today’s nugget: Revival is the greatest church’s need. Prayer: Lord I repent from my wicked ways. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected], Rev. Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.