​​His Inscriptions Blog

Life-Giving Communication with God
  His Inscriptions
  • Home
  • Prophetic Words
  • Courses & Events
  • About
  • Store
  • Subscribe
  • Give
  • Prophecy Archive
  • Houses of Prayer
  • Articles
    • His Inscriptions: How God Speaks to Everyday People
    • Have Smartphones Replaced God?
    • How to Pray to God: 5 Easy Steps
    • How to Start a Christian Blog: A Guide for Writers
    • How You Personally Could Spark the Next Great Awakening
    • Finding Beauty in Your Winter Season
    • Silence: Your Secret Weapon
    • Overcoming Exhaustion
  • Contact
  • Bible Promises
  • Friends We Support
  • How to Know God
  • Donor Thank You Return Page

Revive Us Again!

2/20/2019

Comments

 
Revive Us Again! Article by Deborah Perkins of His Inscriptions

2019 has been dubbed by several prominent Christian leaders as “A Year to Plow.” To plow the spiritual soil of our hearts is an essential precursor to revival*, and many people, including myself, believe we are on the brink of revival in this nation. We must both plow and sow in order to reap a harvest!


Agriculturally speaking, new growth does not come until the soil is turned over and worked from its solid, impacted state into rich and fertile ground. Only then is it ready to receive the seeds that will produce a harvest.

When applied to our hearts, the plowing process can be painful. Our heart’s “default” state, which may be very comfortable, is actually deadly to spiritual growth. We need to be broken.

The Holy Spirit brings to the surface unhealed issues, past grievances, and sensitive areas we have been protecting in the darkness. He knows that in order for us to reap a harvest, we must be free of the bitter roots, stones of judgment, and debris which clutter our hearts.

Simply put, an uncultivated heart - just like unplowed land - will not yield the fruits of renewal or revival.

While plowing is necessary, it forces us to confront things we’d rather not see. As I meditated on plowing, revival, and harvest this week, a dear friend and reader of His Inscriptions alerted me to a news event that illustrated these concepts powerfully.

Confronted with History


In a suburb of Houston, Texas a few months ago, the remains of 95 African-American bodies - 94 men and 1 woman - were unearthed when a backhoe operator saw a human bone sticking out of the ground. A new technical school was to be built, but overnight, a standard construction project by the Fort Bend School District in Sugar Land turned into an archaeological site.

Further digging revealed the unmarked graves of those who toiled, sometimes to the death, in a state-run prison farm for local plantations between 1878-1911. The area is adjacent to a larger cemetery where more bodies of slaves have already been buried.

What does this have to do with revival?

Ministries in Texas have been praying for revival, just as we have. The Lord exposed - through plowing - a century-old wound that needed to be dealt with both practically (by giving the bodies a proper burial) and spiritually (repentance for yet another incidence of the oppression of African Americans in our nation).

Sugar Land is just one of many similar mass gravesites discovered around our nation. (Others have been found in New York, Maryland, Georgia, and Philadelphia.) Scientists who study or “read” the bones of these slaves and prison workers find “inscriptions” of unimaginable stress and torture.

Unearthing our history, whether by accident or intentionally, forces us to confront deeper, often unhealed issues concerning the mistreatment of fellow human beings. Although it’s easier to look away, we need to deal as honestly with issues of injustice as we do with issues of the heart.

Speaking Life into the Future


When God brought Ezekiel to the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37), He caused the prophet to “pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley... indeed they were very dry.” (37:2)

The Jews in Ezekiel’s time saw this devastation and cried, “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!” (37:11).

But because Ezekiel listened for the prophetic words of God concerning their situation, he heard God say: “Prophesy… breathe on these slain, that they may live.” (Ezekiel 37:9)

Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones reveals God’s heart for revival. No bones are too dry, no spirits are so dead that they cannot be awakened, renewed, and revived by the Spirit of God! This hope should be at the forefront of our minds as we pray and seek God for revival today.

Desperate Situations Are Ripe for Revival!


Individually and nationally, we are full of “dry bones.” The massive quantity of bones and the stench of death itself can easily deter us from dealing with them.

Abortion, slavery, the mistreatment of Native Americans, and human trafficking have stained us collectively. Unforgiveness, rebellion, a lack of genuine love and an emphasis on cheap grace have kept us from experiencing personal revival. We cannot have the power of God without obeying God. True revival is preceded by repentance, and repentance requires that we face the deeper issues we have buried.

We must, as the Lord reveals in 2 Chronicles 7:14, humble ourselves and pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways to see healing in our hearts and our land.

Hope for the Future


The year of plowing is bringing up, for many of us, areas where we need to repent, rededicate, forgive, and consecrate.

Sadly, once saved, we do not always continue to invest the time and energy we need to pursue holiness or healing, whether for ourselves or our land. Discipline, humility, and holiness are not popular topics in the pulpit! As a result, we lack the power that comes from purity.


The bones of the Texas prisoners and captives who were buried in obscurity are now being washed, cleaned, and honored with a proper burial. Isn’t it time we did the same for ourselves spiritually?

Grace and holiness, love and truth, justice and mercy seem opposed but do coexist in God’s Kingdom, each with vital roles to play. God is still looking for a holy people.

God is asking His church today: “Can these bones live?”

Those who believe in revival commit to the plowing and then join in the prophesying!

​When we allow the Holy Spirit to excavate our past, we then proclaim the Word of God into our present and see the Lord of the Harvest redeem our future.


It is my fervent hope that our desire for revival in this nation will increase. There are far too many examples of pain and suffering like what was unearthed in Texas.

We can take steps towards peace, to ensure these atrocities never happen again. But my greatest hope is that we will have the humility to pursue personal renewal as well. Both steps will cost us something.

We don’t seek revival to earn the favor of God; rather, we are following God’s leading as He calls us to surrender not just pieces of ourselves, but everything. We die, but we live again in Him. And the more we consecrate to Him, the easier it is for the world to see Jesus.

Revive Us Again! By Deborah Perkins of His Inscriptions

*Whether you call it “revival” (an Old Testament term) or “awakening” (which corresponds more closely to the New Testament understanding), the ideas of renewal, returning to your first love, being “on fire” for Jesus, or seeing the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit exist throughout the Bible. Here, I use the term “revival” for simplicity. It is meant to embrace the ideas of both an unbeliever’s initial choice for salvation and a believer’s renewal from spiritual deadness or dullness. I understand that there are theological complexities involved with the use of different words, and I intentionally choose to leave semantics to the theologians!

In speaking of revival, Charles Finney quotes Hosea 10:12: “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and showers his righteousness on you.” Finney notes that Christians should clear the ground of their hearts, renew their minds to God’s word, and bear fruit for God. He says, “Sometimes our hearts are rough and dry, and everything we do is in vain. Our hearts cannot bear fruit and receive God’s word unless they are broken and loose. That’s what the prophet thinks when he says ‘plow your ground’”(Finney, 2006, 41).

Sources:
*Dutch Sheets & Chuck Pierce: ”A Time to Plow” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deHjGVx5mro

*To read the New York Times article on the discovery of the Texas graves, click here.  https://goo.gl/DoZ8Q4

*Washington Post Article: https://goo.gl/yr2vwP

*Want to learn more? Connect Here with the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization working to call attention to American racial issues.


Subscribe Free
Deborah Perkins / www.HisInscriptions.com
About Deborah Perkins
Read More on Revival

If you have been blessed by the ministry of His Inscriptions, please consider sowing a seed to help us grow! His Inscriptions is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax-deductible. Click here for more information.
© Deborah Perkins / www.HisInscriptions.com. Photo Credits: Cover and End photo by Michael Podger of Unsplash.
Comments

    Free Link to the Subscriber Resource Library when you join His Inscriptions!

    SUBSCRIBE FREE
    Deborah Perkins, Author and Founder of HisInscriptions.com
    About
    ​Deborah Perkins

    RSS Feed

    Click to Order Deborah's Books on Amazon.com
    Picture
    Author Deborah Perkins' books on Amazon.com
    Picture
    Member, Advanced Writers & Speakers Association
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    America
    Bible
    Book Reviews
    Christianity In Culture
    Church
    Communication
    Communion
    Consecration
    Creativity
    Deliverance
    Easter
    End Times
    Evangelism
    Events
    Faith
    Family
    Fear
    Feasts
    Finances
    Forgiveness
    Friendship / Intimacy With God
    Glory
    God The Father
    Government
    Grace
    Healing
    Hearing God
    Heaven
    Holiness
    Holy Spirit
    Humor
    Interviews
    Israel
    Jesus
    Judaism
    Justice
    Leadership
    Lifestyle
    Love
    Ministry
    Missions
    Passover
    Peace
    Persecution
    Prayer
    Prophecies
    Prophecy
    Protection
    Relationships
    Rest
    Revival
    Satan
    Service
    Suffering
    Supernatural
    Technology/Social Media
    The Bible
    Trials
    Trust
    Warfare
    Women
    Worship
    Youth

    Picture

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    Author

    A severe hearing loss from childhood caused Deborah Perkins to develop what she now calls her secret weapon: tuning in to God's voice.  A Wellesley College graduate and an award-winning writer, Deborah is now a wife and mother of 3 boys. Deborah has devoted over 25 years to professional and lay Christian ministry in New England and beyond. Her passion is inspiring people to cultivate greater intimacy with God. 
    You can follow her on social media using the links above. To subscribe to her weekly blog (free) by email, click here. 


    Salvation Pic
Photos from leireunzueta, kelgal77, graphia, Orin Zebest, MartialArtsNomad.com, put_the_needle_on_the_record, zeevveez, rebamae, jonycunha, traveling.lunas, Newport Geographic, Alexandre Dulaunoy, popofatticus, brendan.lally....away, adamfarnsworth, piropiro3, fabiane13, Luis Roberto Lainez, Snake3yes, ceasedesist, Kevin Shorter, dustinj, feryswheel, rghisi, stuartpilbrow, BLMOregon, Didriks, .Martin., jonseidman1988, feelsgoodlost, francisco.j.gonzalez, imagine_reality, Jay Aremac, Northwest Rafting Company, amsfrank, qmnonic, PhoTones_TAKUMA, chatblanc1, garryknight, limaoscarjuliet, V31S70, lcm1863, Jayel Aheram, SimpleSkye
  • Home
  • Prophetic Words
  • Courses & Events
  • About
  • Store
  • Subscribe
  • Give
  • Prophecy Archive
  • Houses of Prayer
  • Articles
    • His Inscriptions: How God Speaks to Everyday People
    • Have Smartphones Replaced God?
    • How to Pray to God: 5 Easy Steps
    • How to Start a Christian Blog: A Guide for Writers
    • How You Personally Could Spark the Next Great Awakening
    • Finding Beauty in Your Winter Season
    • Silence: Your Secret Weapon
    • Overcoming Exhaustion
  • Contact
  • Bible Promises
  • Friends We Support
  • How to Know God
  • Donor Thank You Return Page