Genuine Repentance

In the wake of The Harbinger of 9/11, many Christians are praying for repentance and the restoration of America. That's good! But do we really understand the meaning of genuine repentance? Do we grieve the horrendous mind-changing corruption now growing like yeast across America i.e. IRS, Bengasi etc. -- even in churches?

     Have we been blinded to the spreading darkness by the false lights of the world's beckoning enticements?  Do we share any of its addictive lust for amoral thrills? Or are we willing to walk with God regardless of cost?

     Fast becoming like heathen nations, America is now rejecting -- even banning -- God's Word and ways. In its place, a new "tower of Babel" is rising. A dark monument to the envisioned unity of nations and world religions, it aims to eradicate God's eternal Truth and establish a new world order based on power, tyranny and dark spiritual mysteries that few can even fathom.

     If they succeed, Biblical faith and freedom will fade -- and those who refuse to compromise may well face the torturous deaths now common in radical Islamic nations.

    Come on Church – Jesus and His Gospel are still alive. Souls are at stake.

 

The Habit of Rising to the Occasion

     Paul speaking to the church in Ephesus says; “… that you may know what is the hope of His (Speaking of Jesus’) calling …” (Ephesians 1:18). Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way. You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12).

     Let me ask you: Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you. God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—“By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. Listen: 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you … .”

     So what does all this mean, it means, rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body. May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.   

What Do You Want?

“Do you seek great things for yourself?” (Jeremiah 45:5). Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts—He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you. If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason—you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you …” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him. Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “… that they may be one just as We are one …” (John 17:22).