Repentance

Repentance (metanoia, GREEK), means to have a "new knowledge or understanding"---a change of mind. God's word teaches us that the "new" change or understanding comes from Him through an "unveiling" or revelation. We need this change and new knowledge, from God, and Paul states it well in "he was called "to open their eyes" (enlightenment, unveiling, revelation, repentance) Acts 26:18 "so that they may turn from darkness to light."Another verse from Psalms 119:18 states: "Open (unveil or uncover, revelation) my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law."
The Pharisees were cognizant of the Scriptures but never knew God. That is why Jesus was condemned, as He knew would happen. The opportunity to know God was presented personally,in the flesh, when Jesus spoke to them, yet they never knew Him. They studied and taught the Word, but never KNEW what His message was about, or repented from their pride and arrogance. They remained self-righteous, prideful leaders making decisions which ultimately led to the crucifixion. A tragedy for the leaders, but a gift for us.
As our church has walked through the changes in the past year, I am still amazed that many still do not KNOW God. We have changed our pastor, changed our name, dissolved membership, and eliminated all leadership. In the physical sense, that has occurred. Emotionally, many still hold onto the "good old days" of structure, hymns, elders, etc. Spiritually, many have not repented from sin. I believe that presence of sin, lack of accountability, lack of desire for repentance and forgiveness and a lack of knowledge of who God really is prevents a new knowledge or understanding, or a change of self. Many have knowledge, as the Pharisees, but no revelation of the Holy Spirit, which is stated by Paul:
"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1Cor. 2:14) Is God the center of our lives, or are we the center and God lingers in the periphery?
Pride is the ultimate sin when we believe that we are above rebuke. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall," (Prov. 16:18). This should remind us that God is in control, not us, as we falsely believe we have prestige or power or success. God has warned us if pride gets in the way, He will bring us down.
Could this be the reason for our church not moving forward as we hoped would happen by this time?
Our prayer meeting which has concentrated on spiritual warfare for the past six months has not grown since the start in August. Is it busyness, complacency, or lack of knowledge of God? Attitudes in the hearts of our people keep God away from answering our prayers. Also, isn't it ironic and tragic that our own sin might hinder our prayers for another sinner? Jesus said, "First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matt. 7:5) We need to own our sin, confess it to one another, and repent! To say to another, "I am sorry that you feel that way" is not confession or repentance. It is an insult to God, lack of humility and repentance and hurtful to the other person. As believers, we are commanded by God be steadfast in prayer and pure in spirit and when a conflict arises, address immediately. Satan really does exist when there is conflict, and blinds the mind of the unbeliever. He presents a smoke screen so we remain high minded, proud or inflated with self-conceit. Herein lies the sin of pride, passed on from Satan to Adam in the Garden. As a result, our men and "leaders" have an overwhelming desire to dominate and compete. As women, we become the nurturers and caretakers. What happens when this pride becomes the issue in a church? A translation from the Living Bible is very clear: "It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don't use human plans and methods to win my battles. I use God's mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil's strongholds. These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding Him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God, and change them into men whose hearts' desire is obedience to Christ." 2 Cor.4:4
Our church needs prayer, prayer warriors and stillness. We are in the middle of a huge spiritual battle and must use the tools of warfare that God has given us! Our worship needs to have God as the center, a humble heart, and a repentant spirit. We need to be still, and LISTEN and WAIT for God to speak. Perhaps our church group (EVERYONE) needs a trip to a "spirit filled" church, - to experience the "authentic" Presence of God, TRUE WORSHIP, and "Metanoia" (CHANGE)! Do we desire His Spirit or are we still playing church????

"Showing Up for God"

In my stillness that God commanded me to pursue, I have finally reached the goal of a quiet spirit, a relaxed mind and a healing body. Through the many valley's where I have been dwelling for an extended period of time, my moment of mountain top experience has always been the attitude of gratitude that I survived one more day. Another sunrise, another sunset would be my reminder to pray and "Show up" for God to lead me forward. Throughout my spiritual journey, so often through emptiness and brokenness, I believed that if I could just get to God, He would do the rest. I suppose that is the surrender necessary to allow God to work in my life, at His speed, with His direction. God has reminded me in Jer. 29:11 that "He has a plan for me, a plan for hope and a future." Hope from God is trust; trust which is given freely, without conditions; an extended hand that says "follow Me". Are my relationships filled with trust, hope or love? Do my words and actions express love or do they create judgement, distress and hopelessness? I have made attempts to "own" my behavior, my sin, my lack of faith, and share my burdens. I have been in constant prayer for God to search me and tell we where I needed to go to begin the restoration. It begins with me, in my heart: with my family; with my friends; with my church family. The challenges are many as I walk the difficult road, the road with Jesus, to a future with hope. The daily blessings are great and filled with abundant moments of healing. My tears flow with joy as I observe God's gift of humility and restoration within my family as they finally know who God is and what He has done for them. A day at a time, and sometimes, minute by minute, we experience the love, the tender hearts within each other and the hope for a future. The people in our lives are there by choice; not because we are brother and sister, but because we share the gift of God's love and forgiveness. I have learned that "all things are possible through Christ who gives us strength." The pain of a broken heart, or a broken relationship, empowers us to seek the Lord with all of our strength, all of our heart, and all of our spirit. That is what He wants us to understand in our stillness, our aloneness, our oneness with Him. It is only through His grace that we are able to confront our demons, The Enemy, and all the darkness in this world. We claim through His Word, the sword of the spirit, that we are strengthened and equipped to overcome all things which evil manifests in the people we love. We are able to overcome with victory anything on this earth which threatens us, through God's mighty power! I believe that is what God wanted to teach me, in my stillness, in my quiet journey.

Isaiah states: "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes in undisturbed places of rest." (32:18)

Our homes and churches must be in order so we can minister to others who need the healing, stillness, forgiveness and restoration that only Jesus can promise. I need to constantly seek "undisturbed places of rest" to restore my energy and faith to continue to fight the battles of this world through faith, hope, prayer and love.

Freedom

A.B. Simpson writes: "Brother, are you fainting in prayer? Look up. Your blessed Advocate has already claimed your answer, and you would grieve and disappoint Him if you were to give up the conflict in the very moment when victory is on its way to meet you. He has gone in for you into the inner chamber, and already holds up your name upon the palms of His hands, and the messenger, which is to bring you your blessing, is now on his way, and the Spirit is only waiting for your trust to whisper in our heart the echo of the answer from the throne, "it is done".

We pray with the expectation of an answer, immediately, if not sooner. We search the Scriptures for an answer only to find ourselves questioning and wondering, when will you answer Lord? Impatience leads to frustration, then to weariness and finally to defeat. As our journey into the Underground has resulted in anger, disappointment and silence, the frenzy for radical change echoes among the participants with questions, unbelief and confusion. In Job 6:24, Job speaks to God and says: "Teach me and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong." In my silence, I pray that He teaches me the truth and reveals His promises to me. Are we all praying in earnest to learn what He needs to reveal to us? Are we listening for an answer from Him to show us where we have been wrong? We do not share prayer; we do not share our heartaches or joys; we do not share our visions. We need to acknowlege our personal wrongs before God, be willing to confess them, repent, and be accountable to each other. David cries out in Psalm 32: 3-5:

"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord"-and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

Ownership of our sin and repentance in each one of us will bring revival in our spirit and in our church. Striving for the abundant life creates the desire for a daily walk with Him so that we do not grow weary. As we follow our God to an authentic, spirit filled community, we will once again experience the joy that is absent when we gather. The freedom to praise and worship with our hearts and minds, free from sin, torment and darkness, will bring forth the fruit of the Spirit and peace within our fellowship. As believer's we must trust God's Word that we will walk in victory with hope and renewed strength. We have the tools and the authority to reclaim our first love. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to do it's work in our lives! "Do not let your hearts be troubled!"(Jn 14:27). Join me in vigilant prayer that we will become the shining light on the East End, the place where"something" is different, exciting and inviting!

Be Still

As I reflect on the events of my life, I see the threads of God's mercy creating the tapestry of my life. God said in Jeremiah 33 that "He turned His face because of their wickedness but nevertheless He turns to them again to bring peace and health and healing." A promise from God is that I may approach Him in confidence and thanksgiving for all that He has done in our midst, allowing the peace that brings understanding. I have become a prayer warrior out of obedience to God asking me to step out in faith. In my discomfort, I have begun to pray for the obstacles in my life that create an abundance of blessings as well as overwhelming fear of the decisions that I must make in my life. I have been removed from my illusion of a comfort zone and have taken the first steps toward a renewing of my spirit and a cleansing of my heart. God promises that "though I walk through the valley of death I will feel no evil."(Ps. 23) Is God really there tenderly guiding each step toward the unknown, defeating every evil that prevails ? The answer is yes, as hope and faith arise, as He means to bring good and mighty things into my life, my family and church, and our country. As grief grips so many lives, it is in those dark moments that we reach out for His hand and allow the love, healing and peace to flow over us. His good purposes also reveal His truth. We have authority to claim His cleansing for our family, our church and the East End. As I journey to the Underground for a new beginning in our church, I feel the anxiety and question the authenticity of all who are present for this experience. "Judge not, lest you are judged" (Rom 8:1) is definitive on who is the Judge. As I pray, there is a silence from God. I listen for His word, but am I REALLY listening or am I projecting His reply? He has warned me numerous times throughout this journey to "BE STILL". I believe that He will do great and mighty things that will be recognized by many, but could you just begin now God? As my spirit struggles with the stillness, I believe His Word and Trust His Love. All believers need to pray with a sense of urgency and stir up their hearts to their fullest desire. Remove God from the shelf and begin to speak from you heart at all times, not just the convenient times. When we meet with God, allow the impact of what God has done in your life be loosed upon your prayer life. If only I could hear Him now..........
"Call to me and I will answer you with great and mighty things which you do not know" (Jer. 33:3)