A few words about Repentance

Good morning friends,

Let me open by saying “God works out of love and faithfulness” He will stop at nothing to join us as we live our days. That’s His call on each of our hearts, to draw near to Him in all circumstances and His actions are Just, and overflowing with goodness and mercy.

With that said, we must open our eyes to what’s going on around us. These days may be bringing some unsteady emotions. It may be scary, it may be frustrating, whatever it is, it’s definitely changing how we spend our time. I’ve spent some time reflecting on the fact that if this was even just a few years ago, my peace about this storm would be radically different. As you may know, anxiety was my overactive default for over 30 years. What anxiety does is, it takes what’s happening around you and terrorizes your thoughts on various levels. I have been there. I am speaking from the other side of it though, anxiety no longer shackles me. God lifted me above those circumstances of fear and I have no doubt that He can and will do the same for you. He works in His perfect timing. Think of the coronavirus as a personal invitation to turn towards God and away from all other distractions.

In my Thursday morning Bible Study, we are currently studying the Kings in a book titled “Trustworthy” by Lysa Terkeurst. The Kings each started with good intentions of leading well, but as more power was given, they each fell away from God’s direction and into pride, even the “Best Kings” of that day, had faults. Leading into the fact that humans play a part in God’s story but the second we fall away from His direction and begin leaning into our own actions and emotions, things fall apart. God is so faithful, He continues to draw us back in and calls us to repentance. We can be so blind for so long and then one day, God’s message pierces our heart. The epicenter of our soul. This is the time to tune in to your epicenter friends! This is a time that God is calling you personally, bodly, swiftly and faithfully. It’s amazing if you think of the infinite scale in which God seamlessly goes to, to reach His people, whom He Loves.

We are being called to repent, and to do so, with fear of the Lord. (Fear in this context should be noted as “respect” and “surrender”)

Jesus said “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will love it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39

(A few notes on this Scripture from the NLT version of the “Life Application Study Bible” are noted here:  “Jesus was overwhelmed with compassionate pity for the people. His response echoes the deep inner mercy of God, often described in the Old Testament. Jesus came to be the Shepherd, the one who could show people how to avoid pitfalls. Many people are ready to give their lives to Christ if someone would show them how. Often when we pray for something, God answers our prayers by using us.)

Our world is running rampant with “Idols”. Perhaps the idols in your heart are not figures on an alter, but more so, actions like; chasing the American Dream, the next dollar, your next cup of coffee? We are seeking worldly fulfillment and allowing ourselves to be distracted from our Savior, our Holy God, the Spirit that lives IN us. The time is upon us as a few have claimed. Wrath, correction, sanctification is necessary and welcome. “Holy Spirit purify and humble me so that I no longer grieve you” is the song in my heart today.

What is all of this telling us? I believe it’s a call to seek Him with our whole heart. A call to surrender. A call to cling to God and to ask Him what in your life has grieved Him and what He’s asking you to share with Him.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synogogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Sprit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:16-20 (“We must find a balance between wisdom and vulnerability to accomplish God’s work.” “In times of persecution, we can be confident because Jesus has “overcome the world” John 16:33 “Jesus is telling us not to stop preparing but to stop worrying.” Life Application Study Bible)

Sin is standing between us and God. Jesus said “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 On the cross, Jesus won the battle for us. We are called to turn our hearts to God and submit to Him in all our ways. As I’ve learned, God directs each step and brings to mind the loving conviction of what I have done in the past that can be dropped at the foot of the cross.

Do not fear. See the bigger picture. See that God’s work is GOOD and we can come before Him and humbly ask Him to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness. The Blood of the Lamb is waiting to wash over you and make you New.

Oh what awaits when your soul is FREED.