To start 2018 off to a good start, we find ourselves uniting with believers all over our state and nation, and perhaps the world, to pray for God's Spirit to move in a myriad of situations and circumstances. We're setting aside time each day during this WEEK of PRAYER to call upon the Name of Jesus, to be specific in our requests, and to listen to what direction He may again choose to give? Although we who are mature in our faith all know this should be a pattern of our lives, perhaps the reminder each year to set our face as flint, as it were, is a very needed thing.
Today happens to fall right in the center of that week. In fact today's emphasis, based on the often-used Bible verse during periods of concerted prayer (II Chronicles 7:14) happens to be repenting and turning (or returning) to God. I have been reminded of the words of scripture found in two "three-nineteen verses"; Acts 3:19 and Revelation 3:19. The first speaks of a promise of forgiveness & times of refreshing, and the latter speaks directly to the churches patterned after Laodicea of repenting earnestly to the One who loves us so much that He rebukes and disciplines us.
Repentance (turning away from that which is evil and turning toward God) is often thought of as a once-in-a-lifetime event that we experience at salvation. Rather, it should become a lifestyle pattern we experience often, with heartfelt purpose, just like prayer. Perhaps repentance should become a material part of our prayer life if it hasn't already. I once heard a saint during testimony time proclaim; "I'm repenting & rejoicing!" Indeed, repenting ought to bring great rejoicing no matter when it happens, by those whom we serve with and we ourselves. The fact is, God Himself and all the angels of heaven rejoice when one sinner repents (Luke 15:10). I'm reminded as well that the precious promise of I John 1:9 still holds; that we are purified whenever we repent. Confession is a crucial part of that.
My confession, at least in part, is that I am turning to God again. I call that repentance. Oh, I don't mean for salvation; I mean for refreshing and renewal. I want my heart to turn toward our Father again in a greater way.
More fully. With greater purpose. With greater resolve. I am setting my face like flint, as it were. King Jesus is meeting with me, and will continue to do so! He is faithful, and has been even in the times my resolve to serve Him wholeheartedly slips.
I am repenting... and rejoicing!
Love to all, Pastor
Today happens to fall right in the center of that week. In fact today's emphasis, based on the often-used Bible verse during periods of concerted prayer (II Chronicles 7:14) happens to be repenting and turning (or returning) to God. I have been reminded of the words of scripture found in two "three-nineteen verses"; Acts 3:19 and Revelation 3:19. The first speaks of a promise of forgiveness & times of refreshing, and the latter speaks directly to the churches patterned after Laodicea of repenting earnestly to the One who loves us so much that He rebukes and disciplines us.
Repentance (turning away from that which is evil and turning toward God) is often thought of as a once-in-a-lifetime event that we experience at salvation. Rather, it should become a lifestyle pattern we experience often, with heartfelt purpose, just like prayer. Perhaps repentance should become a material part of our prayer life if it hasn't already. I once heard a saint during testimony time proclaim; "I'm repenting & rejoicing!" Indeed, repenting ought to bring great rejoicing no matter when it happens, by those whom we serve with and we ourselves. The fact is, God Himself and all the angels of heaven rejoice when one sinner repents (Luke 15:10). I'm reminded as well that the precious promise of I John 1:9 still holds; that we are purified whenever we repent. Confession is a crucial part of that.
My confession, at least in part, is that I am turning to God again. I call that repentance. Oh, I don't mean for salvation; I mean for refreshing and renewal. I want my heart to turn toward our Father again in a greater way.
More fully. With greater purpose. With greater resolve. I am setting my face like flint, as it were. King Jesus is meeting with me, and will continue to do so! He is faithful, and has been even in the times my resolve to serve Him wholeheartedly slips.
I am repenting... and rejoicing!
Love to all, Pastor
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