HOW TO PROMOTE A REVIVAL

Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hosea 10:12

   Fallow ground is ground that has been left unworked so that the nutrients the soil needs can be replenished and support another harvest. During this unworked time, the ground will become hard and seem like nothing good could ever grow. Our hearts can become hard to the things of God. When we have left it unworked, weeds grow and there may be no order.
   To break up the fallow ground of our heart, we must not depend upon our feelings. You may not feel repentant about a particular sin but it does not mean it isn't sin. The world around us has infected us with the attitude that if it feels right, then it's right. You must be able to look square into His Word and say that sin is sin. Confession is agreement with God concerning that which He lables sin. When you confess and set your mind against it, your feelings will follow. When we break up our fallow ground, we are turning every row of our heart field. When it turned and confession is made, God's righteousness will be planted. Then a harvest will come with blessings and those around us may see Jesus and a sinner can be saved.
   I ask you to get in a quite place and begin to turn the soil of your heart and see if there be any sin that need be confessed. Don't just confess without being ready to deal with it and get it out of your life. The following lists can help in revealing and dealing with sin;

1. Sins of omission;
Ingratitude - Is there some blessings from the Father evenwhile you were in sin, that you never exercised gratitude.


Lack of love towards God - Think how you would feel if you discovered that those you love with all your heart, only love you in a part time way? Only when you are needed?


Neglect of the Bible - You may read daily but can't remember what you read 10 minutes after you have read it. Do you love what you read?
Unbelief - You may know of some promise that God has promised but still chose to do things your way.


Neglect of prayer - Are you seeking God, praising God, asking God with your whole heart? Are your prayers just the same old words spoken in the same old tone? Are you just checking a box before you go to bed or eat a meal?


Neglect of the means of grace - Do you put up silly excuses to take away from your time in Church, prayer, Bible study?
Lack of love for the souls of your fellow-men - Have you had the compassion of Jesus felt for those around you. Or are you standing by and watching them go to hell?

Neglect of family duties - Think about how you live before them. Are you an example for them for righteousness? What direct efforts do make for thier spiritual good?

Neglect of watchfulness over your own life - You hurry past the spiritual needs so you can do that which may cause you to fall?

Neglect to watch over your brethren - You see neglect of spiritual duties in your Brothers and Sisters but not work to help them?

Neglect of self-denial - You will do anything for God or family or friends as long as it is comfortable for you.
2. Sin of commission;
Worldly mindedness - Are your possessions really yours? Is your ambitions directed at how much more you could get for your own sake?
Pride - Think about the times you have decorated yourself either outwardly or inwardly. Taking away from someone else or God just to make yourself appear better?

Envy - Been envious of others whom you thought were above you in respect? Envied those whose talents seemed better than yours? Envious of others stuff?

Faultfinding - Had a bitter spirit and spoken ill of Christians. Are you always seeking the best for your brothers and Sisters?

Slander - The times you have spoken behind people's back of the faults, real or supposed, to others, without good reason.

Lying.

Cheating.

Hypocrisy - Saying one thing and then do the opposite? Pray to confess sin but not really meaning to lay it aside and follow Christ.

Bad temper.

Whatever else Holy Spirit may bring to mind.
  Whenever you find anything wrong, resolve at once, in the strength of God, to sin no more in that way. It will be useless to examine yourself, unless you determine to rid yourself of anything that would hinder God from moving within you.
  Direct quote from Charles Finney, "Professors of religion should never satisfy themselves, or expect a revival, just by starting out of their slumbers, and blustering about, and talking to sinners. They must get their fallow grounds broken up. It is utterly unphilosophical to think of getting engaged in religion in this way. If your fallow ground is broken up, then the way to get more feeling is to go out and see sinners on the road to hell, and talk to them. and guide inquiring souls, and you will get more feeling. You may get into an excitement without this breaking up; you may show a kind of zeal, but it will not last long, and it will not take hold of sinners, unless your hearts are broken up. The reason is, that you go about is mechanically, and have not broken up your fallow ground."