What Is Repentance ?

 

 

Repentance is when one is truly sorry for a wrong action. Sincere repentance causes one to change their sinful direction. Genuine regret will facilitate a move towards Godly direction. It does not mean to say you are sorry then commence to repeat or express the same previous behavior. One must not confuse repentance with guilt. Oftentimes when one’s sinful behavior is exposed or they become self-conscious of wrongful behavior they will experience conflict. To alleviate their discomfort they may say “I’m sorry.” Saying sorry releases the immediate pressure. Don’t let sorry become a sorry meaningless word. True repentance impacts one to the point that the desire to modify their actions overrides the once prescribed behavior.

 

 

When one has compulsive behaviors their ability to relinquish such behavior may not immediately manifest. But admitting to oneself that their behavior needs modification is a favorable inception. The process to extinguish compulsive behaviors can sometimes be lengthy in some cases. However, the benefits yield self-control. Self-examination is a prerequisite on the road to recovery. Remember nothing is impossible with God.

 

When we become aware of behaviors that don’t produce the fruits of the spirit we should be thankful. Remember God is a spirit of truth. His truth will constantly allow us to see the folly of our ways. Some of us are stronger than others. What you practice you become. “God is not a respecter of persons.” His Holy Spirit is available to all of us. When we diligently read and digest the scriptures they will promote spiritual growth. Spiritual growth will enlighten your perspective.

 

 

The old nature within us is enmeshed with a faulty response system. As we spiritually mature we must repattern our responses by fostering an internal environment which invites the infilling presence of the Holy Spirit. The new nature can arrest the old nature. Remember the power of God is stronger than anything! God’s power is unlimited. We never become the power but as His children we have access to His Power.

 

 

The Lord can make you whole! Becoming whole in the eyes of the Lord means becoming complete in Him! Becoming whole means you seek the approval of God rather than others. In the Lord you can discover everything that you will ever need for Life, Daily Living & Eternal Life! The WORD of GOD has a plethora of examples that magnificently displays HIS OMNIPOTENCE! Believe it when GOD teaches us “I CAN DO ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me…” Thank You Lord for Your Holy Spirit!

 

 

~ THE GREAT COMMISSION ~

“Then opened HE their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, And HE said to them;
‘Thus it is written, and thus it behoved CHRIST to suffer and rise from the dead the third day;
And that REPENTANCE & REMISSION of sins SHOULD BE PREACHED in HIS NAME among ALL NATIONS, beginning at JERUSALEM. And ye be Witnesses OF THE THINGS…” LUKE 24

 

We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. A disciple is a learner. Disciples must exercise discipline. Remember a fool speaks his whole mind. We should be slow to speak, quick to hear and slow to anger. God has given us His written WORD and His internal COMFORTER to lead guide and direct each of His children. Whenever we find ourselves in err we should welcome a repentant spirit. Our desire should not let pride nor man’s opinion prohibit humility.

 

John the Baptist constantly preached repentance! He boldly stated; “Repent! For the kingdom of God is at hand.” We have  in many cases been thoroughly conditioned to respond in fashions that actually hinder our spiritual development. We can be consumed by what others think or how it appears rather than what God knows.

 

Never sacrifice inner peace for exterior acceptance. Don’t allow others to control you by remote. When they try to provoke you to anger don’t get pulled in. When they hurl insults don’t engage in verbal combat. Let self-control intercede. DON’T be disrespectful NOR let anyone disrespect you. Wait and respond when and if you feel it’s necessary. Just let them feel the impact of their own tongue. There are many things that won’t be understood on this side of heaven. Just remember God knows your heart. The spiritual armor must become a habitual attire.

 

 

Our purpose is or should be to please and Worship God. Worship does not only exist between 11:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. on Sunday morning. The true worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth. We should live a life of worship everyday. We do this by acknowledging His authority in our life and being obedient to HIS WORD. Not in a legalistic way. In a way as a believer that your conscience becomes increasingly sensitive to the unction of His Holy Spirit. We should encourage others to embrace the scriptures and accept Jesus as their personal Savior. We do not have to force our belief in God or His Word upon anyone. His Holy Spirit is the heart opener. We must simply sincerely present His Word and trust God. Let’s be about our Father’s business. Repent! Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand!

 

Don’t just go to church!  BUT;  “BE  GOD’S  CHURCH EVERYDAY & EVERWHERE!”

 

The truly repentant soul has an innate inclination to please God after one’s genuine experience salvation. You embark upon a change from the inside out… Priorities yield to inner peace and contentment. To compromise and join the way of the majority looses its intimidation. Spiritual maturity becomes an attainable goal.

 

Jude encourages us to pluck others from the fire. Satan is such a deceiver. His deception allows tradition, superstitions, lies and old wise fables to parade themselves as the WORD of GOD. When you study and show yourself approved to GOD it will allow you to discern and properly navigate through the deception. It is good that the Pharisees knew the WORD; yet sad because the could not recognize CHRIST JESUS! Salvation goes far beyond learning how to quote scriptures. Don’t be fooled like the Pharisees who could not recognize Jesus; but be schooled by the scriptures and led by His Holy Spirit. The Lord will never lead us to do anything that goes against His Word. Know God and His Word for yourself!

 

REPENT for the Kingdom of GOD is at hand!!!

A Purpose Driven Church

 

A Purpose Driven Church

A purpose driven church seeks to fulfill the “Great Commission.” It is motivated from an overwhelming sincere desire to see others come into fellowship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. It encourages its members to spiritually grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ through His WORD. It fosters a healthy environment for developing an ongoing forever-growing intimate relationship with Him through the power of His Holy Spirit. Biblical principles are applied when dealing with life situations.

 

When you actually begin to implement God’s principles in your daily lifestyle you will see a definite change. A surface relationship is no longer acceptable. An ongoing personal relationship with the Lord will sustain, lead, guide and direct you through your life’s journey. It is virtually impossible to have a true encounter with God that doesn’t have some type of impact. Your desire to live a life pleasing to God increases as you grow spiritually. Your life will have purpose. It is a journey like no other. This is not a journey like the hamster on a treadmill. Just merely spinning your wheels and not ever getting anywhere! Dark old habits, lying, envy, strife, coveting, addictions and heartaches are allowed to come to the surface to actually dissipate in His penetrating yet convicting Light.

 

A purpose driven Church will teach you that our lives and heart are open and exposed to God. There is absolutely nothing that is hidden from God. Acknowledging, confessing and actually experiencing repentance from sin should become welcomed companions. It does not merely encourage one to enlist in a barrage of activities. God truly is recognized as the central focus. Families are encouraged to foster healthy nurturing home environments. A healthy ministry is composed of healthy families. Being a Christian becomes a lifestyle rather than a weekend activity. This helps the old nature to become continuously harnessed and brought under self-control. God’s illuminating Light begins to brighten your path. His abiding Holy Spirit is there to comfort in sickness, distress or grief.

 

REPENT!!!

 

A purpose driven ministry is a place where everyone actually is someone. Not because they have been appointed to a position but because they know without doubt who they are becoming in CHRIST JESUS! 

 

The old, in between and young are equally welcomed. They are encouraged to participate utilizing whatever gifts they have to offer for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. Mutual respect replaces discriminating favoritism. Manipulation massed as compassion is unacceptable. A cult cliquish mentality is consciously not welcomed. A sincere effort to establish a balanced spiritual Body is indisputable. True freedom in Christ through the knowledge of His WORD is realized. The Elders/Ministers and or Missionaries of God’s flock consciously encourages God centered relationships rather than dictating control and domination. Only God receives the preeminence!

 

The Church body of a purpose driven Ministry openly recognizes that Jesus Christ is the only “Great Head of His Church.” In many congregations the pastor is often thought of as “the head.” This misconception is abandoned. They know that the  Church is actually the Bride of Christ Jesus!  John clearly and carefully affirms that he himself was not the Light! That he came to bear witness that Jesus Christ was the Light of the world. John 10 tells us that there will be one Shepherd and one flock. The pastor is actually one of many overseers of God’s flock. They are charged to feed God’s flock with wisdom and understanding through His WORD according to Jeremiah 3.

 

Although there are many members in the body not one is more important than the other.  Each individual is different and their function in the body is different. God puts the members in the body as it pleases HIM! A mature pastor does not feel threatened. He  knows His position in Christ. In order to have a healthy spiritual environment we must give God His proper respect. God is a God of order.  There CAN ONLY BE; “ONE HEAD!” A secure pastor equips the saints through the WORD.  He does not manipulate them to think as he thinks. He always points them to the Lord. This empowers the members to recognize “truth from error.” He abandons the need to mentally abuse or manipulate the congregation. They know GOD IS OMNIPRESENT!   He instead encourages the members to be  daily lead by the Holy Spirit.

 

A purpose driven ministry recognizes the need for the saints first to be equipped themselves. This is what strengthens the overall Universal Church.  Then they are willing and able to go forth confidently fulfilling His “Great Commission.” A fulfilling effective ministry seeks to acknowledge God in all of their ways. All of God’s children are equally welcomed by sincerely acknowledging all nations. They realize “flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” The members should be  represented  and openly reflected by every walk of life not solely by your name being  on a list… God is Sovereign and Father of all.

 

GOD has but one UNIVERSAL CHURCH!

 

Ask yourself is your current place of  ministry purpose driven? What is its purpose? Is it to merely solicit funding to maintain the building?  Is to grow in numbers? Is it so you can be the biggest and best in your neighborhood or zip code?  Is it to equip the saints? Is it to restore families? Is it spiritually sound?  Is it to enlighten others no matter what their color or culture is; and introduce them to Christ? Do some things need to change?  Is it actually filling the “Great Commission?”

 

CHRIST JESUS died ON THE CROSS AND HE AROSE WITH ALL POWER  so we might be FREE to LIVE FOR GOD!  Not to be bound by the traditions of man… That we individually as well as collectively represent Him on earth.  We as believers are to apply and embrace the truth and principles of His Word within our own daily lives. We are to encourage others to do the same “Saved” or unsaved.  Making others feel comfortable in sin is NOT loving them… We can call upon Jesus as Savior and Lord 24/7 wherever we are. Christ Jesus  and He alone is the only one to walk in the flesh and actually completely conquer sin in the flesh. Therefore as long as God has any of  us on this side of Heaven it is to improve, grow in His grace “walking in the light” toward perfection in Him! He is our perfect example and Savior.  He imputes HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS to us as we walk in obedience. 

 

” Even now  the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD without the law is manifested being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Even  the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD which is by FAITH of JESUS CHRIST UNTO ALL AND UPON ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE; FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God”   Romans 3 This is the great equalizer.

 

Each and every one of us needs Christ Jesus as our  Lord an Savior. His precious blood is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He is worthy of all the glory and the honor. Just know your freedom has been purchased by His death on the cross.   He arose with all power to also make  this known to all the principalities and lesser powers… HE IS LORD!   He bestows upon us His precious Holy Spirit, His Comforter to help us.

 

God’s resources are inexhaustible and available to us.  However we must  seek Him above all else and walk in obedience to His Word. That is if we want to enter into His Kingdom.  John tells us ” that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Which means it’s right here! There is nothing in the world that even compares to what God has to offer. This goes far beyond the material. Know without a doubt as His child “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” It is only through CHRIST JESUS that you can become PERFECT! For it is in Him you can become complete! 

 

A purpose driven ministry will encourage you to do your homework. Do you want to be Blessed? Well, Psalms tells us that we will be blessed if we; “meditate upon His Word day and night.” Life brings joys, sorrow and grief, with much spiritual warfare. We must realistically be prepared. How much of your time is really spent in prayer and meditation? Why not commence to bathe in the warmth of His Word? It has miraculous cleansing and healing  power. God has the ultimate design for your life. How will you know what it is if you don’t spend time with Him?

 

Acknowledging God, as Creator is optional from the world‘s perspective. This is why it is very important that God becomes the focal point of our worship services.  Rather than focus on your pain or sorrows  focus upon HIM! Instead allow the Lord the opportunity to deliver you and lighten your burdens.  We live in the world but we are not supposed to be like the world! “It is in Him we live and move and have our being.” His principles of balance and harmony are indispensably visible. His towering  height less enormous  firmament is a constant reminder of  His awesome omnipresence. His grace displayed adorns the sky in the form of tender clouds. Suspended high above like soft billowing cotton.  His magnificent  creation is vociferously speaking all  throughout the world! Although His omnipotent power is ever present He won’t force His way into your life.

 

A purpose driven ministry actually implements and embraces Biblical principles. The praise and worship harmoniously complement one another. It should ultimately be a place where the children of God can unload; refuel, recharge, and leave refreshed and ready to proclaim the Gospel. To not return Sunday after Sunday burdened and shackled.  There home life becomes or can become  continually improved as well as they daily invite the presence of the Lord.

 

In a Purpose Driven Church when and if desired unbelievers are readily encouraged to choose adoption into the “Family of God.” The main focus of a purpose driven ministry is committed to reconciling souls to Jesus Christ. We as His children can actually become His ambassadors! An ambassador is sent to fulfill a duty.  Ask yourself?  Are you growing in the grace, wisdom and understanding of the Lord?  Or are you stagnate?  Are you fulfilling your duty? Or are you simply going along with the program for acceptance?  Is Christ really the center of your ministry? Is it your purpose or is it GOD’S PURPOSE?

It is important to know where you are in the LORD! If CHRIST JESUS returned today are you ready? 

P4CM Presents Ready or Not by Featured RHETORIC Poets Ezekiel & Janette..ikz