Personal revival is not merely a moment of spiritual enthusiasm. It is steady growth in fellowship with God through his Word, prayer, faith,
and dependence on Christ.
Roger Smalling
Preface
Some rivers run so deep that they seem quiet. Shallow ones roar as they bounce over boulders. It’s easy to dam up the shallow ones. Deep ones plow down everything in their path, with a profound impact on the countryside.
God is looking for people who, like some rivers, want to run deep. He needs reformers, men and women committed to bringing revival and reformation to their world. This requires ordinary individuals doing the extraordinary, with a burning passion for a cultural transformation that brings freedom to the people and glory to God.
Future reformers must learn to hear from God, be led by God, and walk consistently in his grace. This takes time. They must learn new motivations beyond initial enthusiasm. Above all, a passion must grip them to see the glory of God break the devil’s dominion over their culture.
This preparation involves a new kind of spiritual discipline, leading to a tenacity that, from the devil’s perspective, is too dangerous to ignore. It may require the believer to learn in quiet for a time, making few splashes but getting ready for deep impact.
We’re looking for reformers.
About the authors
Dr. Roger Smalling and his wife, Dianne, are missionaries to Latin America.
with the Presbyterian Church in America, a theologically conservative
branch of the Reformed movement. They are dedicated to training Latin American Christians in principles of biblical leadership and sound theology.
The Smallings have traveled extensively throughout Latin America, holding seminars and conferences in churches of various denominations.
Their books, study guides, and essays are available on
their website in both Spanish and English at:
Chapter One
The Wilbur Syndrome
Wilbur has big eyes, expressive brows, and a wooden head. He is Roger’s ventriloquist dummy. Over the years Wilbur has accompanied us to churches and mission fields, entertaining kids and adults alike. He can be hilarious and a bit cocky.
In front of a group one day Roger decided to teach our wooden friend a lesson in humility.
“Wilbur, I have a surprise for you,” Roger said.
“What?” Wilber asked, browse raised.
“It’s me that’s making you talk.”
“Well, if that makes you feel good to think so…” Wilber responded.
Wilbur clearly needed an attitude adjustment. Roger told him so.
“Hi Wilbur!” Roger waved from across the room. Wilbur sat motionless.
“Say something to us, Wilbur.” Silence. Roger walked over and retrieved him.
“Whew, why did you embarrass me like that in front of all these people?” Wilbur whined.
“To make a point,” Roger smiled. “Without me you can do nothing!”
Roger explained this was also a statement from Jesus, and it meant something important.
“So Jesus was a ventriloquist too?” Wilbur asked.
“No, he was clarifying that his disciples need him for any growth or fruitfulness.”
Wilbur winked at the audience. “Well, I knew that all along. I just wanted to see if you knew it. I was going to trade you in on another ventriloquist, but I think I’ll keep you around awhile.”
Roger congratulated Wilbur and closed the skit with the key point:
Christ is not a supplement. It doesn’t matter what we can do without him. He prefers to use someone who can’t do without Him.
God wants us to come to the end of ourselves. Our culture won’t let
us come to the end of ourselves. It gives us books on how to be better, and we believe it! —Steve Brown
Vital signs
In Ecuador, Roger was preparing a young theology student for ordination. During a break, Roger leaned back and asked, “José, how are you doing with your quiet time?”
“My what?”
“How many times during the week did you read the Bible and pray, expecting to hear from God?”
José tipped his head, thinking seriously. “Well, maybe a couple of times. I’m not sure.”
Roger was stunned. José was one of our most promising students, charming and bright. We had assumed if he were mature enough to study, he must have been having a quiet time.
José was suffering from a case of the Wilbur syndrome.
“José, here’s what we are going to do,” Roger said. “After we finish today’s lesson, we need to touch on something vital.”
“What could be more vital than preparing for my ordination?” he asked.
“Hearing from God.”
From this chapter we learn…
- Without Jesus we can do nothing to please God
- Fellowship with Jesus is the heartbeat of Christian living
- This fellowship involves applying the means God provided
Chapter Two
Turn Up the Volume
Ashley propped her feet on the chair in front of her and cocked her head. “Why doesn’t God speak loud and clear like in Bible days?”
“Yeah, like through Moses and some of those prophets,” Ryan said.
“That would be totally huge!” Tyler agreed. “We’d always know exactly what to do.”
Ashley leaned her head way back and looked at the ceiling. “Why doesn’t God just turn up the volume?”
Nick listened carefully as they volleyed frustrations back and forth. As their youth leader, he noticed they craved an easier, fail-safe way to know God’s will for practical situations. The consensus showed they preferred the more straightforward approach of Old Testament days
Nick let the air hang heavy for a moment, then said, “Let me ask you something. If God still used prophets to guide us, how mature would we be? Just how mature were the people of God in Moses’ day?” he continued.
Low chuckles and a unison of nods spread throughout the group.
“Here’s the difference. Back then God spoke through one man. Now that Jesus has come, all of God’s people have his Spirit. He wants us to hear from him individually. That’s how we grow.”
“Yes, Ashley, it is possible to turn up the volume. God tells us how.”
The key at the door
One day, a young man approached Roger and asked, “Do you think you could help me find God’s will for my life?”
“Yes,” Roger replied. “First, tell me what God has been saying to you through your quiet time.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The daily time you spend with God in his word and prayer, regarding his will?”
After a bit of silence Roger continued, “I knew by your question that you might be weak in your devotional life. I’ll help you with that. I predict it will answer your question.”
Many Christians live frustrated. A desire for deeper faith drives them to a futile search for formulas or experiences. The answer is much simpler.
… fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
-Heb. 12:2
At first, this seems ambiguous. How do we look to Jesus?
Let’s get practical
All relationships entail communication. God has provided tangible ways to communicate with him.
Personal revival is about steady growth, not leaps and bounds.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Pet. 3:18
We do not see a tree sprout branches overnight, nor do children put on six inches in a week.
Some believers are disciplined in the physical sense. They work out every day but neglect the Bible and prayer. Good spiritual habits, like physical ones, come by exercise. The term “discipline of grace” has validity.
It would seem grace, by its sovereign nature, would automatically bring discipline. It doesn’t. Why not? God uses his word, prayer, and fellowship to develop in us wisdom and character, along with discipline.
This book is about how to take advantage of these means consistently. Then we will enjoy God, glorify him, and grow.
This is revival.
From this chapter we learn…
- God speaks today by his Spirit through practical means: the Word, prayer and fellowship
- Daily devotions is way to apply these means
- Personal revival is about steady growth
Continue reading Personal Revival
The following chapters explore hearing from God through Scripture, prayer, guidance, biblical faith, and our identity in Christ.
Read or download the complete book in PDF
