Week 11: Real Revival

Scripture to reflect upon for Relationship Revival: Acts 6:7-8 (The Message)

The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically. Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith. Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them.

You may be wondering what this scripture has to do with your love relationship and reviving it, but I will show you how you absolutely need to incorporate this scripture’s hope into your marriage.

We took last week off in hopes of everyone new to the site being able to catch up and grab hold of the simplicity of making a fresh start with a loved one. When my husband and I first decided to put something like this together, we thought of many clever things to call it, but what stood out to me most was the word, revival.

According to Dictionary.com, the word revive means: 1. to activate, set in motion, or take up again; renew. 2. to restore to life or consciousness. 3. to make operative or valid again. 4. to bring back into notice, use, or currency. 5. to quicken or renew in the mind; bring back. 6. to reanimate or cheer (the spirit, heart, etc., or a person). 8. to return to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, or a flourishing condition. 9. to be quickened, restored, or renewed, as hope, confidence, suspicions, or memories. 10. to become operative or valid again.

Let’s take a look at some of the key words from the definition: activate, set in motion, renew, restore, operative, valid, bring back, quicken, reanimate, return, vigor, strength, flourishing. You may even notice that some of these words are used several times, such as: again.

When Christ came back to the disciples and prepared them to start the church, this is what it was all about: restoring hope, quickening spirits, renewing relationships with God, cheering up a depressed and oppressed people, validating lives, bringing them back to life, returning people to God through Jesus.

Jesus made us valid again. He renews us, restores us, quickens our spirit, gives us strength, and brings us back to a loving God who sincerely cares for us. The first church in Acts was literally “acting” on the Holy Spirit. They were reviving the people. It was the first-ever revival.

Reading, The Prayer of Jabez, author Bruce Wilkinson makes a profound declaration about that first revival. He confesses that without the Holy Spirit, that revival would have never taken place. Imagine, just for a second, had that revival not happened. Seriously…think about this. What do you think the world would be like? What would your life be like today had Jesus not “revived” you?

Just as Christ revived you, it’s now time to invite the Holy Spirit into your marriage, into your home, and into your family. It’s time for a real revival in your life!

ACTION PLAN: Let’s break down this scripture in real time/real life:

Make the Word of God prosperous in your marriage. Study scriptures together, welcome the Holy Spirit into your prayer time as a couple, and let God know that He is our family’s main source of life, hope, peace and joy. He is the center.

Work together as disciples for Christ. Start volunteering together and watch your blessings increase dramatically. Host a bible study in your home, and make your home a place of worship.

Be witnesses to others so that they, too, can submit themselves to the Jesus and revive their own relationships. Encourage others and watch how your relationship will blossom.

Brim with God’s grace and energy, do wonderful things among the people, and watch God do unmistakable signs among those you encounter.

GO FURTHER: Start your own relationship revival challenge with your friends and family. Tell them about this blog and how it’s helped. Encourage them to participate and take the weekly challenges. Start a Relationship Revival Home Group, and support one another in an effort to revive love, marriage and family.

FACT: The Holy Spirit is like a well of water that will never run dry. Go to it often and drink plenty!

If you start a home group based on my blog, please let me know. I’d love to hear how it’s working and what others are learning! My husband and I would even love to participate via Skype; or if you’re local, make a visit every now and then.