Wednesday
Apr152009
The Gift of Repentance...
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 9:13AM
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 9:13AM 
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month's card comes from Target. So leave a post, share a story or an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a little trip to Target (but no buying toilet paper or nasal spray - buy something FUN)!
I'm posting a little later in the day than what's typical for me. As some of you know, I release a quarterly E-zine and TODAY my April E-zine went out. I'm a member of a couple of great author networks and some of those great friends offer to give away books to my subscribers (first come - first serve). So I just sorted through a whole flurry of emails to award the winners of all of the great books offered in the give away. I need to take a deep breath for a moment....Ahhh. Okay, now I'm ready...And now on to my topic...
I was in a prayer meeting last week with some pretty amazing, godly women. At some point in our prayer time we asked God to give us a heart of repentance. We are such self-centered creatures that oftentimes our focus is on how others affect us and not so much on how we affect the One we serve. And so we prayed, "Lord, give us a heart for repentance! Grant us a heightened conviction for sin and a deep commitment to obedience. Create in us a clean heart, O Lord! And renew a right spirit within us!"
Needless to say this was a powerful time of prayer.
Well, guess what happened in the days that followed?
I saw myself in a whole new light. The Lord answered my prayer and set the plow a little deeper. I was surprised at my tendencies toward self-preservation and self-protection. I cringed when I said words that impressed rather than blessed. God forgive me!
I was 'pulling weeds' all week. Over and over again I found myself on my knees asking the Lord for forgiveness and for a new level of conviction and holiness. Instead of coming under all kinds of condemnation, I gained a whole new appreciation for the relentless love of God. That He can clearly see our tendencies for sin and selfishness and yet look at you and me with absolute love and passion - is profoundly wonderful. What love the Father has bestowed on us that while we were YET sinners, He went to the Cross, died a brutal death, and then defeated sin's hold on us!
This morning I spoke with one of my mentors and amazingly, she had the same kind of week I had. But she said this, "Susie, isn't repentance such a gift? Though I was so aware of my need for more of Jesus, I was powerfully purified by keeping such short accounts on my sin (my paraphrase)." I thought more about her words and I strongly agree, repentance is a gift. So let's walk through a little weeding exercise to prepare our soil for a bountiful harvest.
Repentance for Striving...
Take a few moments to think of the ways you've striven instead of rested in the Lord. Can you think of ways that you've taken matters into your own hands? Done more than God has asked you to? Committed to things out of obligation or fear of other's opinions? Precious Lord, forgive me for my tendency to strive when You call me to cease striving and to KNOW that You are God. You are God. Help me to rest in You.
Repentance for Unbelief...
Take a few moments to consider ways God is asking for faith and you've given Him anxiety, doubt, or unbelief. He wants you to open your hands and you've been wrongly clinging to your idea of what you need. Open your hand and pray. Lord, God, You are the Maker of Heaven and earth. Forgive me for thinking for a minute that I know better than You. I know You are trustworthy. Forgive me for not trusting You fully. I choose faith again today. I love You.
Repentance for Selfishness...
Take a few moments and dare to ask God, "Search me and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts; see if there is an offensive way in me and lead me in Your everlasting way (Psalm 139)." Wait quietly before Him. Then one by one, ask forgiveness for the ways you've chosen to preserve and promote your interests ahead of God's interests. And remember as you do this, God has set His affection upon you. He cherishes you.
Take some time in the days to come and practice repentance. Give room in your life to uproot the unholy weeds and seeds that find themselves in the soil of your heart. Good soil sets the stage for a GREAT harvest.
What a gift God has offered us! We have moment-by-moment access to Him. Fresh mercies for each new day. We are blessed indeed.
Until next week~
PS - If you haven't already subscribed to my quarterly E-zine, you might want to. I'm telling you, these gals have a great time vying for the free books and reading the devotional thoughts. It's great fun! Here's the link if you're interested:
Reader Comments (9)
Linda D.
I agree. It's a challenge to embrace the idea that repentance is a gift. But once we do, we find ourselves in a place of purity and peace. More than anything it blesses us to keep short accounts with our sin. Bless you, Rachel!
It's not a popular topic but as far as I'm concerned, it's the crux of a powerful walk of faith. As we keep short accounts with our sin, we embrace the constant reminder that we are nothing without Christ. And everything to Him.
Your comments are always an encouragement to me. And thanks for mentioning the other posters. They have some good things to say (as do you). I love seeing the community aspect of this blog. I pray more and more that we can continue to encourage one another! Bless you.
Recently I was bombarded with accusation from a neighbor, and struggled for a day and a half with anxiety from condemnation from the words...until the Lord broke through with His liberating truth...I am free in Christ!
Bless you!
I think accusations from others can be one of the toughest kinds of 'anxiousness' to overcome. It's quite a testimony to your faith that you were able to press through and find peace. God bless you!