 Greetings!BlogFam, There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. [John 1:6-8, MSG] What a wonderful tribute to the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus! I really could end my reflection with the words of those verses describing John but I will continue because I believe that those words push us to consider our own life, our own testimony, our own witness in the world. John is one of my favorite people in the Bible. Outspoken. Strange. Isolated. Bold. Focused. Clear. John's message was simple and straight to the point: Repent! Repent! Repent! Now, I know that is not what you necessarily want to read today but isn't that something we should be doing everyday anyway? AND considering my commitment to fast to seek and to see God's vision for my life, perhaps repentance is a good place to start. To repent, in its simplest explanation, is to confess and turn around. Confess your sin and turn around. Confess our sin and change your life. Confess your sin and commit or recommit to not do whatever it is you did, said, thought again. Repent! Confession of those things that would cause distance in our relationship with God seems like the perfect way to begin to see God's vision for our lives. It just seems like the right thing to do, a way to wipe the slate clean, a way to make sure your heart is right, a way to remove the blinders of anything that would cause you to erroneously believe that you are in right standing with God when you are not. And let us be clear. Praise is not repentance. Worship is not repentance. Dancing is not repentance. Shouting is not repentance. Giving is not repentance. Community service is not repentance. Leading a ministry or posting a well liked Facebook status is not repentance. All of those things might lead you to repentance or you may do those things as a result of repentance but repentance is repentance. And repentance is not what we really want to talk about. I mean, let us just be honest. There are are things for which we will ask God for forgiveness, but not offer confession unto repentance because repentance is more than confession. Repentance is also turning around. And that is what John was inviting people to do. He was inviting them to turn their lives around. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [Matthew 3:1-2 KJV] “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” [MSG] Friends, Repent! John had a critical role and an amazing message in the Gospel story and his witness continues to challenge and inspire. But he is not the only one. YOU, too, can be the voice of one crying out in this "wilderness" of a world a message of hope and transformation that begins with the word - REPENT! Do not miss seeing God's vision for your life because of things that you need to confess AND turn away from. Do not miss seeing God's vision for your life because you choose not to change your life and live like God's kingdom is not already here. Do not miss seeing God's vision for your life because you continue to turn away from the light of Jesus Christ that exposes every dark place in your heart. Friends, REPENT! For the Kingdom of heaven is at hand! REPENT! And encourage others to do the same... There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. [John 1:6-8, MSG] Is this your testimony? REPENT. TODAY. REPENT. God LOVES You and I Do Too!!! Blessings, Glory, and Sunshine! Delesslyn |
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Categories#100PoundsOfExcuses#FREEFlowFriday #iThrive #LentInAugust #TheAffirmation #TheSHIFT 2012 End of Year Reflections 3:17 40 Days of Fasting A NEW DAY!!! 8-1-2012 A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness At Bay AFTER He Rose! Best Practices COPYRIGHT - Permissions Policy Cover Up! CROSS-Eyed Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Disciples Dos and Don'ts G.R.A.C.E. GAIN SOME WAIT!!! GET A CLUE...About Me HOME is Where YOUR Heart Is HOPE & HEALING HOPE! INTRODUCTION Isaiah Reflections John 3 MY VISION FAST NEW YEAR, NEW LOVE NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS ONE WORD REST. Period. Saying Goodbye Starting Over Starting Fresh STEP OUT OF THE BOAT - Matthew 14 The EIGHTH Day The EIGHTH Day 2 The Good Samaritan The KEY of LOVE The Living Room Christian Fellowship The POWER to be PERFECT! The Prayer Bridge Things We Left On the Mountain! VISION Wholesome Habits of Healthy Disciples WWJD = What Would JUSTICE Do? |
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