Day 1 Of 30 Days of Devotion . . .

Join us in prayer:  The Convention Committee puts months of work into preparing for the convention each year.  Today, please pray that they would be granted an extra measure of wisdom and understanding as they arrange the final details.  Lift them up in gratitude for all the work they do to serve and bless the homeschoolers of Illinois.  If you would like this devotional to come directly to your e-mail, please send your e-address to the office at info@iche.org.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word revival? Do you think of a big tent, a fiery preacher, and some emotional experience that leaves you with a brief time of change?

When I think of revival the words that come to my mind are authenticity, humility, brokenness, surrender, holiness, and the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through me. Psalms 69:32b - "You who seek God, let your hearts revive."

As we begin to seek God with a humble, broken heart, He will revive it. But we must seek God with the masks off, the walls down, and the roof off. We must be willing to surrender any attitude, motive, thought, or action. We must be willing to make peace with people who have wronged us and we must be eager to have a clear conscience with all those we interact. We must be willing to let the Holy Spirit use His spiritual flashlight in those dark, painful areas that we'd rather keep hidden.

Once revived you can experience deep joy and peace! But the process isn't pretty.

About 4 years ago, God started me on the path of personal revival. It started with stripping away the masks and with being more authentic with those around me. God reviled to me areas of pride in my heart, which left me repentant and humbled. I had to reconcile a relationship that had been damaged by sin and left to fester in bitterness for 8 years. (Talk about painful!) God also required me to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit in overcoming sinful patterns.

If you're feeling dry in your walk with Christ and want to make Him the Rock you fully stand on, let the God of revival start with your heart and watch Him move!

(For more on personal revival, check out "Seeking Him" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom)

H. P.