Repentance

Repentance #1

Scripture

And seeing this, Peter answered to the people, Men, Israelites, why do you marvel at this one? Or why do you stare at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made him to walk? The “God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob,” “the God of our fathers,” glorified His child Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, that one having decided to set Him free. But you denied the Holy and Just One, and asked for a man, a murderer, to be granted to you. And the Author of Life you killed, whom God raised up from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And on the faith of His name, this one whom you see and know was made firm by His name, and the faith which came through Him gave to him this complete soundness before you all. And now, brothers, I know that you acted according to ignorance, as also did your rulers. But what things God before proclaimed through the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ should suffer, He fulfilled in this manner. Therefore, repent, and convert, for the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from the face of the Lord, and that He may send forth the One before proclaimed to you, Jesus Christ, whom Heaven truly needs to receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke through the mouth of all His holy prophets from the age past. For Moses indeed said to the fathers, “The Lord your God will raise up to you a Prophet from among your brothers, One like me; you shall hear Him according to all things,” whatever He may speak to you.

Jesus Light o' the world

(Act 3:12-22 LITV)

{See Deut. 18:15-16, 19}

(see Ex. 3:15)

26 And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes),27 So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.28 For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring.29 Since then we are God’s offspring, we ought not to suppose that Deity (the Godhead) is like gold or silver or stone, [of the nature of] a representation by human art and imagination, or anything constructed or invented. 30 Such [former] ages of ignorance God, it is true, ignored and allowed to pass unnoticed; but now He charges all people everywhere to repent ([d]to change their minds for the better and heartily to amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins),31 Because He has fixed a day when He will judge the world righteously (justly) by a Man Whom He has destined and appointed for that task, and He has made this credible and given conviction and assurance and evidence to everyone by raising Him from the dead.32 Now when they had heard [that there had been] a resurrection from the dead, some scoffed; but others said, We will hear you again about this matter. (Acts 17:26-32 AMPC)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His . commandments. His Praise endures forever. (Ps 111:10 NKJ)

Repentance

During this season let us return to our Lord with fear and trembling. Our Lord is a consuming fire and He is thrice Holy! We see recorded in Scripture how Isaiah stood in the Lord’s Presence with awe. He saw the Lord High and Lifted Up! While he watched; the angels, the seraphim cried out Holy! Holy! Holy! Is the Lord of Hosts! The whole earth is full of His Glory!

Who is there like unto Him? He alone is God! Besides Him there is no other! He is the Lord God Almighty! Hear the Lord say to us; “Come up hither! Draw near to Me and I shall draw near to you! Take My yoke upon you; Come to Me; you whom are heavy laden; And I will give you rest!” Come stand in His Awesome Presence! Be bathed in His Love. His Goodness and Love draws us closer toward Him! Yes His Goodness & Mercy, endures forever.

We are to remember to choose and repent on behalf of our families and their bloodline (ie our bloodline). We need to repent on behalf of the sins of our forefathers, our nation, our country and our peoples. Yeah it may even mean repenting on behalf of our nation’s leaders. We ‘re reminded in Scripture; to pray for all people eve’rywhere. E’en though we do not necessary agree.

First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people, for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way. This is good and pleases God our Savior. He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth. There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans-a human, Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins. This message is valid for every era. I was appointed to spread this Good News and to be an apostle to teach people who are not Jewish about faith and truth. I’m telling you the truth. I’m not lying. I want men to offer prayers everywhere. They should raise their hands in prayer after putting aside their anger and any quarrels they have with anyone.(1Ti 2:1-8 GW)

Remember when Daniel prayed he enquired of the Lord icw the future of his nation. He had also studied the word given Jeremiah, by the Lord as to the future of Israel. While praying, interceding for his nation he repented on behalf of Israel’s sin and the sin of her fathers and forefathers. He therefore could also read the times and seasons as the Lord revealed them to him.

Through diligent study of the Word (Scriptures), we are able to understand the times and seasons; the reason for repentance. Especially while studying Jeremiah. He (Daniel) came across the Word of the Lord concerning Israel’s deliverance from Babylon. Meanwhile he interceded repenting on behalf of his people Israel. Through his repentant intercession, the Lord revealed to Daniel the future of what is about to take place. Surely our Lord would not do anything,without first letting His secrets be known to His servants the prophets (see Amos 3:7).

Cry to the Lord

Cry aloud

I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.(Psa 3:4-5 KJV-BRG)

David knew from first hand experience, what is meant by repentance. Though he would be anointed king in Saul’s steed, he was known as a man after God’s own heart.Through his many years he had built a steady relationship with YHVH! When he messed up he soon repented. We see this clearly illustrated in his life. When he sinned with Bathsheba, schemed against his most trustworthy soldier.

After this adulterous affair; he thought he could hide his iniquitous actions. The Lord, being all knowing was aware of David’s, treacherous wrongdoing against both Uriah and Bathsheba.Therefore, He sent Nathan to reprimand David, icw his sinful actions. When confronted with the truth and destruction of his actions; David quickly repented. He confessed his sin and in due course the Lord restored him. We see his repentant heart and prayer found in Ps 51:1-19_ _

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

To the chief musician,

A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies; blot out my transgressions. Wash me completely from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned, and done evil in Your eyes; that You might be justified in Your speaking and be clear when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden parts You teach me wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Cause me to hear joy and gladness; the bones You have crushed will rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me out from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways; and sinners will turn back to You. Deliver me from the guilt of shedding blood, O God, O God of my salvation; my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For you do not desire sacrifice, or I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar. (Psa 51:1-19 LITV)

“From this Psalm we are able to see how David could say; “I cried unto the Lord, with my voice, and He heard me out of His Holy Hill! Selah_” (Ps 3:4-5 NKJ).Though he had many setbacks, he could say “the Lord heard, healed and restored me!”

We find several examples throughout Scripture. Repentance remains a vitally important issue in our daily walk with G-d. Without repentance (i.e. genuine, true repentance) in our life the Lord is unable to do much. As said earlier G-d is thrice Holy! Sin cannot survive in His Holy Presence! For real true Salvation to take place; there needs to be true, genuine repentance.

Now what is repentance? A fairly good question in deed! Through this brief study; we shall try answering this question, to the best of our ability. Scripture clearly speaks about this matter. The Lord clearly tells us, the Holy Spirit is able to train us in all these matters. This is why we need to remain teachable at all times. He promises to show us great wondrous things, when we diligently, urgently seek Him. As we daily seek to know drawing near to Him; He promises to draw near to us.

He regularly desires to fellowship with us! For so Great is His Love! But our sins come between Him and us. These can build a wall of separation between G-d & us! Therefore we need to be living continuously in a repentant spirit. David knew this that is why he immediately repented of his foolishness, once confronted with his sin.

Repentance means a 180￮ turn around from the way we are living. It means a lifestyle change. Before repentance there is the need of confession. Confession takes place before repentance. The two go together. The one needs the other. These two are required before Salvation is able to take place in our life. True repentance also bring us to the point of Salvation through Christ Jesus in our life.

When we as a people whom are called by His Name, humble ourselves; pray, repent from our wicked ways seek the Lord’s Face confess our sins. He is sure to hear from heaven and heal our land, our nation , our peoples.

Jesus Light of the world.

Jesus, Light of the World

(More to follow later)