Today's Scripture(s) - Zechariah 1:4
(KJV) "Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD."
(NLT) "Don't be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.'
Repentance is not an outward show of sorrow but rather an inward change of heart which is manifested by our thoughts, (which God the Father knows and sees), and our actions, (which The Father sees and men can and will see as well). With true repentance comes change, change that is seen, change that is manifested. There are many who have come to the Lord in repentance with a made up mind to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and those that they use to run with will say to them "You don't act the way you use to" "You don't talk like you use to talk" "Why you don't go to the places we use to hang out at?" "All you talk about is that Jesus stuff". And some of those that you use to run with will become offended by your change. But, there are those that will be curious and want to know what has happened in your life and that is when your walk in the Lord becomes a witness to His glory. Many of us will say: "I have given my life to Christ". Do you really know what that means? There is a saying that has been said for many years and it bears great truth "Actions speak louder than words." We can say many things but it is the action that we take along with what we say that will tell the truth of the matter. James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." The Lord is calling for us to live repentant lives, repentant lives in action. The Lord is calling for us to 'return' to Him with our WHOLE heart. We must put wickedness and evil ways away from ourselves. Some say "this is just me, this is the way I am" this is the answer to that: 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Therefore the 'this is just me' one's need to begin to pray like this: Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me." Is it your goal to see Jesus? Well guess what? You will see Him. Revelation 1:7 says that '....every eye shall see him,..." I do not just want to see Jesus, although that is definitely BIG on my list, but I also want to hear Him say 'well done, good and faithful servant .... Enter into the joy of thy Lord'. Setting ourselves apart, seeking God with all our heart, desiring to know Him, being a witness to others, living holy, not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, loving our brothers as we love ourselves. Repenting - turning away from sin, believe it or not, repentance is daily and often through the day not just a onetime event at the altar on one Sunday morning.
Today's Prayer:
Father God in the name of Jesus I bless your great name today. I thank you for your goodness and your mercy that follows me to today and all the days of my life. I thank you for your love, your kindness, your provision and your protection on my life and the lives of all of my love ones and all of my brothers and sisters in you. Father I give you praise and thanks for all things. Lord today I come to you asking that you would create in me a clean heart. I need my heart to be cleansed Lord. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Cleanse me Lord of secret faults and forgive me for deeds and words done and spoken that were not pleasing before you Father God. Holy Spirit I need you to set a watch at my mouth, bridle my tongue and keep the door of these, my lips. Help me Holy Spirit! Correct me immediately when I am wrong and give me a mind to turn to you Lord asking for forgiveness and the will and determination to turn away from whatever it is that is not right before you. It is my desire Lord to walk holy, to live holy, to do what is holy righteous and pure before you Lord. I need you Lord to create in me a life of prayer. Your word says to pray without ceasing. Show me how to live that Lord. Show me how to live a life that is filled with communing with you constant, without ceasing. Show me Lord, show me how to walk in the Spirit, how to truly walk in the Spirit. I do not want to fulfill the lust of this flesh. I want to be on fire for you Lord in all that I do. I want to see you Lord, I want to see you and hear you say well done to me. I want to hear you say 'well done good and faithful servant enter into my joy'. Show me Holy Spirit how to live a repentant life. Father I thank you! Father I praise you! Father I bless your great and holy name. Father I love! Father I adore you and I give you all praise! Father I bless you and honor you. Bless your holy name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen