You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Repentance’ category.
Helping Your People to Repentance
Author: Bill Elliff Date: May 7, 2012
Why would anyone really want to repent? Repentance is that Spirit-wrought change of mind that ushers in a change of direction.
But most people like the direction they’re headed. Our best hope is to get a right view of repentance ourselves.
Do you know how to get an old bone away from a hungry dog? It’s not by reaching into the territory of its mouth—neither the bone nor your fingers will be returned! But put a juicy steak beside the bone, and repentance is guaranteed.
Making the Turn
Repentance is turning from something to something more valuable. And only when people see the value of the alternative will they turn.
Jesus illustrated this by the parable of the pearl of great price. If we can convince men of the value of the pearl, Jesus said they will sell everything they have to possess this treasure.
There are two ways to encourage people to repentance. The most common approach is to preach on the need and duty of repentance, pointing out every sin. God calls us to do this strongly at times, but duty is a weak motivator.
Conversely, one of most effective means of bringing the sheep we lead to repentance is to lift their eyes to the greener pasture. Show them the surpassing beauty of Christ and the glorious reward of serving Him. Help them realize what they’re missing, and they will begin to see the silliness of their current pursuits.
Leading the Way
It is critical to remember that sheep cannot be driven. They must be led.
Forgive me of sin in my life and help me to be an over comer. I love You and submit this life that You have given me to Your leadership. Teach me how to be the person You created me to be. I pray for the conviction of Your Holy Spirit if ever I start to get off track and I pray for the desire to change. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen (Miracle Place Church)
Richard F. Lovelace put it this way…
Christians should always assume that they start each day at the top of the ladder in contact with God and renew this assumption whenever they appear to have slipped a rung (Dynamics of Spiritual Life, 19).
Everyday, we slip (sin)! Thus, we must renew our devotion to the Lord through repentance and prayer!
It is said…
“Simeon in his private hours…was peculiarly broken and prostrate before the Lord.”
“Revival, as contrasted with a Holy Ghost atmosphere is a clean- cut breakthrough of the Spirit, a sweep of Holy Ghost power, bending the hearts of hardened sinners as the wheat before the wind, breaking up the fountains of the great deep, sweeping the whole range of the emotions, as the master hand moves across the harp strings, from the tears and cries of the penitent to the holy laughter and triumphant joy of the cleansed.”
We often have a tinted view of revival as a time of glory and joy and swelling numbers queuing to enter the churches. That is only part of the story. Before the glory and joy, there is conviction; and that begins with the people of God. There are tears of godly sorrow. There are wrongs to put right, secret things…to be thrown out, and bad relationships, hidden for years, to be repaired openly. If we are not prepared for this, we had better not pray for revival.
| - Brian Edwards |
Heavenly Father,
I pray for that you bring about a deep conviction of sin, a spiritual brokenness, a holy fear of you and a genuine repentance among your people.
Grant us a deep spiritual hunger!
In Jesus Name!
Amen!
by JOE THORN on APRIL 16, 2011
A self-centered life is not just one in which we simply put ourselves first, but one in which God is eclipsed by our own stardom. When we see ourselves as the main character in our story, the great protagonist in our decades-long drama, we are at best relegating God to a supporting role whose influence is minimal. We have taught, and been taught, that everyone is special and unique. After all, there is only one me, and this is my life.
The reality is that our lives aren’t even about us.
We ask You, help us to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. If we are fighting against sin–“the sin which easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:12)–Lord, lend us heavenly weapons and heavenly strength so that we may cut the giants down, these men of Anak that come against us. (See Numbers 13:33) We fell very feeble. Oh make us “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).
May we never let sin have any rest in us. May we chase it, drive it out, slay it, hang it on a tree, abhor it, and may we “cleave to that which is good” (Romans 12:9).
Lamentations 3:40 tells us that we must make sure that we are living holy lives. If we are not, then we must repent and return to the Lord…
“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!
May we all seek the Lord this day in humility and may the gracious Lord send revival!
bryanaloha
Recent Comments