“IF.”  Such an incredible strong word.  It can leave you feeling great regret or it can fill you with hope. How many of us have said, “If only I had” and you can fill in the blank________________.

“If only,” has some cousins named “coulda, woulda, and shoulda” and these are horrible people to live with because they never shut-up.  They constantly assault your mind reminding you of everything you’re not, they bring no hope, no promise, and no solution.  All they can do is point their crooked little finger in your face and tell you all the things you’re not.  A very wise man said, “you are miserable comforters.”

Job 16:2 (NIV)
²  “I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! 

Even “If” what they say is true, YOU don’t have to live there because the beauty of this incredible word is “If” you are willing “If” can make a way.  Look at this for just a moment and allow its truth to penetrate your heart:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
¹⁴  if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.

   IF:

My People call.

v14  if my people, who are called by my name,

Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

21  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Will Humble. 

v14…….will humble themselves

James 4:4-6 (NIV)

4 ……Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

5  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?

6  But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

 And Pray.

v14…….and pray

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

9  “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10  your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11  Give us today our daily bread.

12  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’  for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And Seek.

v14…..and seek my face

Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)

9  “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

10  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Psalm 63:1-11 (NKJV)

1  O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

2  So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

3  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

4  Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6  When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.

7  Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8  My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

9  But those who seek my life, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10  They shall fall by the sword; They shall be a portion for jackals.

11  But the king shall rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

And Turn.

v14……..and turn from their wicked ways,

Acts 2:38 (NKJV)

38  Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 6:12 (NKJV)

12  So they went out and preached that people should repent.

 

Then:

v14…….then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

God Hears, God forgives, God heals.

2 Chronicles 7:15 (NIV)

15  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

This place called prayer, is a place of submission and dependance on God. v15

“Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”

When we realize that it is me that needs revival, If I call out to God, If I humble myself, If I pray, If I seek, If I turn THEN God.  If doesn’t have to be a word of regret it can be a word of great hope and comfort because If God is for me who could ever be against me?

Gypsy Smith was once asked how to start a revival. He answered, “Go home, lock yourself in your room and kneel down in the middle of your floor.  Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark.  When he has answered your prayer, the revival will be on.” Why not covenant with God to draw that private circle?

A Treasury of Bible Illustrations.

What IF we drew a circle?  Just so you know I have decided to draw my own circle.  It is me that needs revival and thats the way I see it in my market.