From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
How many times have you been on a road trip and you miss your turn? We just did that recently when we were going to our sons home near Philly. We know the way, we have been there many times before, sometimes you are just not paying attention. We had to make a U turn in the intersection of the road or we would have driven way way out of our way!
It can be that way in our spiritual lives as well. You are going along fine, going to church, praying, reading the Bible, doing your best at your job to be a good example of a believer. Then, a pothole. Not a big one, maybe an illness that keeps you in bed a couple of days. You don’t read your Bible, your head hurts! You are not praying, except for your own head. Of course you did not go to church, you don’t want to be a ‘spreader.’ Maybe you got out of the habit of church-going when covid closed the churches. You got used to watching preachers on YouTube and now you don’t even want to go back. It only takes us human weaklings a few days to get out of a habit.
You may be on the slippery slope called ‘backsliding.’ You didn’t intend for it to happen, it just did. Fortunately for you, this is your ‘wake-up’ call! We as a nation all seem be on that slippery slope! We have turned to what we think is right for us, not what is right according to God. We know there’s a price to pay for this behavior…a big price called HELL! Now is the time to make a U turn! It’s not too late.
That’s what the RETURN is about. Praying for repentance for ourselves, and our nation, and our world! Makes sense, we all came from Adam and Eve, we should be concerned for all of mankind.
So, repentance is the renewing of our minds. It all starts there. Scrutinize the things you think about. Could they pass through God’s filtering process? If the answer is no, than just stop your mind from thinking about them. By the way, this is not a one time deal, it is a DAILY exercise of the will. It takes 21 days to start a new habit. May I suggest that at the end of each day when you are getting ready to go to sleep, you re-visit the day’s activities. Did you snap or growl at anyone? Were you unkind or arrogant? Did you keep your promises? Did you talk smack about anyone? Do you have other ‘unmentionable’ sins I did not mention? You will have to come clean with Jesus and He will take the responsibility for all your sins. It’s a Good deal!
Here are some scriptures to help. Please read and pray them ‘as needed’
Malachi 3:7 7Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
Acts 2:38 38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 51:10-13 10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
1 John 1:9 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Acts 3:19 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the LORD,
Joel 2:12-17 12“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing- grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God. 15Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. 16Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. 17Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?'”
The RETURN movement is a call for REPENTANCE!
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