What Is Good Repentance?

(By Diego Cuartas)

Whether we all use the same word to describe the need for change is not as relevant as the fact that as human beings we all understand what is implied by the expectation to repent or change. Not everything about us—our thoughts, words, attitudes or actions—is admirable! There is always room and a need for change—in this blog I will call this repentance.

I remember the days when my two brothers and I would get into playing rough and loud, and my father would warn us that if there was not a change (repentance) in our behavior we would experience physical consequences that usually involved pain. What my father was calling for was a change of our behavior at the moment. Remember the warnings you received from a teacher, your parents or perhaps a friend? Some of us have even experienced the warning offered by a law-enforcement officer while driving on a road where we ignored the law of the land!

I have personally experienced many moments in my life in which my intent to repent was very superficial at best. Perhaps with the help of others I saw that there was a need for repentance in my life, but I only pursued such repentance to please others or pacify them in some way. I knew deep in my heart that though I was modifying my behavior I had remained the same person. So my brothers and I at times were lucky to calm down and avoid my father’s punishment, but deep inside we did not want the authority of our father over our lives in that moment—especially if his authority was bringing limitations to what we considered our wants and freedom in the moment!

May I suggest that in order for repentance to be good—effective and fruitful—we will need a more comprehensive approach to repentance. Let me explain. As human beings, we constantly display behaviors, but the reality is that we are more than behaviors. We are creatures with a command center that God has made with the capacities to desire, belief and strive. And at the core of these dynamics is our capacity to treasure or worship. What is true is that our behaviors are always in sync with what is happening in our command center—our hearts. So to speak of repentance and and pursue a repentance that is good, effective and fruitful, we need to consider both the behaviors and the heart. 

Think of it this way: behaviors are indicators (or the fruit) of what is really happening in our hearts. 

Good repentance will always require that we consider a journey into our hearts by using the path that our behaviors afford us. Let me illustrate through a personal simple journey:

I am making statements that are not my real opinion in a given conversation with a friend.

I am sensing that what I am doing is not sincere and therefore fake.

I am experiencing the guilt that comes with this moment.

I am now considering why I am doing this. Why am I not saying what my sincere opinion is?

As I follow the path of my behavior, I start noticing some desires, beliefs and agendas seeded deep in my heart.

I am noticing that I desire acceptance, not rejection; I see that there is also a belief in my heart that says, “You will not be safe if you tell the truth” and another one that says, “You will miss life if this person rejects you or disapproves of you.”

As I keep following the path into my heart, I also see that my agenda is now to control the conversation in order to secure the outcomes I really want.

Can you see it? In order to experience repentance—change—in who I am, I will need to consider both my behaviors and my heart. Good repentance then will lead me to explore and understand my behavior in light of my heart. Furthermore, good repentance will probably translate into addressing the wrong (idolatrous) desires, beliefs and agendas that rule my heart.

Good repentance is not something that happens in a vacuum. And it is not something we do within the confines of our own understanding and wisdom. A bigger, wiser and holier being than us will have to be our reference point and helper. In order to treasure or worship what is truly good and admirable we will need a transformation that only God can offer.

Stay tuned. Good repentance is possible! 

Where Is The Joy of Advent?

I am pleased to announce that John Piper is making his book "The Dawning of Indestructible Joy" available to all at no cost. The link provided below will re-direct you to the webpage where you can download your free copy. 

Consider Piper's thought which I believe is a good representation of how we are as humans:

"I am prone to be dull, spiritually drowsy, halfhearted, lukewarm. That is the way human beings are, including Christians, even about great things. Peter knows it and is writing to “awaken” or to “stir up” his readers so that they don’t just know but also feel the wonder of the truth." (page 7)

So why consider reading these daily devotionals? Because we all need to be awaken or stirred up deep inside to the reality of true joy in our lives. You could say that joy requires fighting for it-- not because we can generate it or obtain it on our own but because our souls lack the capacity to feel and entertain constantly the indestructible joy Jesus knows and wants for us!

http://www.desiringgod.org/books/the-dawning-of-indestructible-joy 

May our joy increase this Advent season,

Diego Cuartas

Forgotten God

(By Thor Knutstad)

Did you know that the LORD refuses to be a forsaken and forgotten God? Look at Jeremiah chapters 1-6 -- indeed this is a sobering biblical passage from a prophet who mourns sin and addresses it boldly, but he is addressing remembering the LORD foremost. You see, our God wants to be remembered. Remembering is holy. Remembering is a mindset action of worship. This theme permeates Jeremiah's emboldened and grieved heart in his words. The LORD rejects being forsaken and forgotten. He refuses it. Are we acknowledging Him who is Creator-Father-Savior-Redeemer-King Christ-Lord Jesus? Remember the Lord, dear people, for His glory absolutely refuses to be the forgotten King. Remember.

Why do we forget? Why does God-forsakenness seem to abound even in believing Christ-followers? Here is a list of statements (some quoted, some derived) from Jeremiah chapters 1-6 that explains how and why we forget and forsake the LORD God:

1. Idolatry (false worship) 1:16, 11

2. Lack of devotion (as a bride) 2:1-2
3. Leaders don't know the Lord or His Law 2:8
4. No awe of Him 2:19
5. Unfaithfulness/faithlessness abounds 2:20
6. People forget God ("would a bride forget her wedding jewelry on her wedding day?”) 2:32
7. No reverence or fear of the LORD God 3:8, 5:22

8. Perversions are prevalent 3:22

9. People skilled at evil, not doing good 4:22

10. Dishonesty prevails and truth is absent 5:1-2

11. Repentance of turning from evil refused 5:3
12. Assumed God would do nothing 5:12
13. False prophets refuse to rebuke evil and would not point people toward the LORD 5:13
14. Stubborn rebellious hearts are hardened 5:23
15. Wealth and deceit chokes the heart 5:27
16. Prophets lie and rule by their own authority 5:31
17. Real warnings land on closed ears 6:10
18. God's Word is unheard and offensive to them and they find no pleasure in His Truth 6:10
19. Leaders are greedy for gain and deceitful 6:13
20. Leaders treat serious stuff as not serious 6:14
21. Leaders proclaim peace where there is none 6:14
22. No shame or blush over sin found 6:15,26
23. Law of God rejected boldly and outrightly 6:19

Though the prophet Jeremiah addresses the sinful and stubborn hearts of the people in general, we must note that he speaks about the effect of the leaders on the people. It's like he's saying that the leadership takes people south when they should lead them north. Let's not forget the LORD God, and let's abandon the bad theology of false prophets who rule by their authority and are not called by God. Know your Bible and remember the unforgotten God, people. If you do not, deception and confusion will encompass you in the current history and turning tide of anti-Christ.

People had followed the stubborn inclinations of their hearts (God’s exact words).  Jeremiah, the spokesman of God, extends himself by calling them “deceived,” unrepentant, evil, stiff-necked, disobedient, idolatry lovers, thieves, murderers, perjurers, adulterers and oppressors.  He pulls no punches about how sinful they have become in forgetting God. But he does more than declare that they have refused to ‘walk in the Ancient Path’ of remembering the LORD their God (16:6).  Jeremiah steps into dangerous territory by slamming the leadership (prophets/priests/scribes/elders/shepherds) with these direct and bold accusations:

You cling to deceit and trust deceptive words (7:4,8; 8:5). Note:  the word ‘cling’ means to grab or hold tightly to (like fabric) or like a child does to its mother when fearful.

You refuse to return and there’s no repentance (8:5). Note: though they have been repeatedly called to go in the opposite direction, they continue in an opposed path.

You pursue your own course (8:6). Note:  the word ‘own’ differentiates a path not of God.

You act like you are wise and know the Law (8:8). Note: Jeremiah calls the scribes ‘lying pens’ who are not writing or inscribing to circulate the Law of the LORD.

You are greedy for gain and you practice deceit (8:8-9).

You dress wounds of people as though they are not serious (8:10-15) Note: too lightly.

You say peace when there is none. Note: Danger was imminent.

You don’t shame or blush at sinful conduct. Note: brazen, bold sin by hard hearts.

You are a crowd of unfaithful adulterers who do not acknowledge God.

All of you are deceived and none of you speaks the truth because you live in the midst of deception. Note:  All are in the fog of lies/deception/untruth.

You worship dead idols that are as lifeless as a scarecrow (his term). Note: the LORD God is real and alive, while your idols are dead/worthless/lifeless.

You are senseless (10:21). Note: You lack common sense in your thoughts/life/decisions.

You do not inquire of the LORD (10:21). Note: You don’t pray!  Ever!

You refuse many prophetic warnings (10:22).

You always speak of God, but your hearts are far from Him (12:2-3). Note:  The LORD is always on their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.  Not near.  Far.  Way far.  Super far!

You uncalled and not ordained leaders are prophesying lies in the name of the LORD (14:14) and giving people idols, false visions, divinations and delusion of their own minds and by dishonoring God by not keeping the Sabbath Day holy and restful (17:21-22).

Isn’t this a sad depiction of the leadership of Israel during this time?  Jeremiah sadly weeps as he speaks this great unfolding tragedy of lament and confrontational judgment.  The leaders are lost.  Simply stated, they are deceived.  In chapter 9, Jeremiah speaks of weeping a “foundation of tears” as he walks over the sins of the nation and the leaders.  They have, to put it simply, forgotten the LORD their God.  They have not remembered His Word, His world, nor His works throughout history.  And behind this forsakenness are deceived and disobedient leaders. Dear friends who share the burden to lead stubborn sheep to the great shepherd Jesus the Messiah called Christ, the word of Jeremiah to Israel ought to cause us to stop and think and to weep.  Why?  Because there is a deep grief and sadness in seeing that many refuse to remember the forgotten God.  Cry on, brothers and sisters.  But as you shed many tears, with joy, point them toward the Savior their LORD.  Everyday, live and say and speak and share the Gospel.  In being forgotten, the LORD longs to be remembered.  And in your service and work, He will bring many sons and daughters to glory. 

Copyright, 2014.  Thor Knutstad – All Rights Reserved.

Moses Prays, We Could Gain A Heart of Wisdom

(By Diego Cuartas)

How do we gain wisdom? I suspect there are several answers to this question. A few weeks back I came across Psalm 90:12, and there was something sobering about the message found in this verse. In this Psalm, Moses prayed: "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

In reading the rest of the chapter, I found more insights as to why Moses would request such a thing from God. I invite you to explore what are the ways we can gain a heart of wisdom. As we will see, perhaps there is more to it than "numbering our days".

A look at the Psalm.

• God is recognized as the "dwelling place in all generations" (ver 1)

• He is also recognized as the everlasting God who existed before everything was even created (v 2)

• God holds the power and right to terminate the physical existence of man by calling him back to "dust" (v 3)

• For God, time is different than the way we experience it. One thousand years for Him are like a day or a watch in the night (v 4)

• The language that describes our fragile existence on earth is depicted by phrases like "swept away", "like a dream", "flourishing and withering like the grass" and ultimately "brought to an end like a sigh" (v 5-7, 9)

• Our iniquities and sins are present before God; they are not a secret to Him (v 8)

• In this Psalm, life-span was considered to be between 70-80 years, the latter being by reason of strength. These years of existence are characterized by "toil and trouble" (ver 10)

• We can see that the question raised in verse 11 is very revealing: "Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?" The question reveals the innate inability of man to consider God's power and judgments over our lives. 

• This is another reason why we are exhorted to learn to number our days: for the purpose of gaining a heart of wisdom (verse 12)

In other words, to live our lives unaware of both our fragile existence and God's supremacy over man it is to live out of a foolish heart, not a wise one.

When we recognize our fragile condition and God's everlasting nature, we then will be more inclined to:

1. Call for His mercy (or pity)

2. Ask Him to satisfy us with His steadfast love 

3. Request the restoration of our gladness

4. Pray that God will reveal His "works" to us and His "glorious power" to our children

5. Ask that His favor be "upon us"

6. Petition that He "establishes the work of our hands upon us"

What an insightful Psalm this is. We are given perspective for life here! The wisdom our hearts can gain as a result of "numbering our days" deals with the most significant needs we have as humans. We need mercy, steadfast love, gladness, the revelation of God for us and the next generation, His favor and a purposeful life. I can't imagine possessing these things and lacking hope and enthusiasm for each new day!

How then can we number our days? From this passage, we can see that two things are essential. One, we need to regard our humanness as fragile and short. This should affect the way I think about today and the future. My experience of today and my plans for tomorrow need to be considered and embraced with humility and dependence on God. Two, we need to consider the fact that God is present in an everlasting way and has the power and freedom to accomplish His own will, in His ways, in His time. He also has knowledge of our situations, sufferings and sins. And He holds the prerogative to judge and deal with each person according to who He is and what He values. 

Is numbering our days enough? I don't think so. What we are being exhorted to do, through this prayer, is to number our days in light of God and who He is. To just number our days will miss our origin, our source of strength, our faithful, merciful and loving Father and our real purpose in life.

Hopefully as we do this we will gain a "heart of wisdom" accompanied with the gladness of being part of something bigger than ourselves: a glorious God!

This is your day; what is God doing? How are you living in light of Him?

God Has Led, So Here I Go!

(By Lois Robinson)

God laid something on my heart in early November and has not released me of it. I have asked Him whether this is a blog entry or not, and His answer is Yes. So here goes...

 I don’t know about you, but I heard so many conversations, remarks and dialogue about the decisions made by many retail stores to open on Thanksgiving Day for shopping this past year.  They were staying open longer and longer, even around the clock in some cases. I saw pictures on Facebook of pup tents set up outside of Best Buy in order to get the “best buy” AS SOON AS IT OPENS! Frustrated, angry conversations would ensue about it, voicing concern to the department stores who were so ridiculous to be open for business about the people who had to work and deserve to be with their families. I heard ENOUGH IS ENOUGH many times. “What is this world coming to” was another. One population of people up in arms about the retail decisions but rarely do anything about it, one population that loved it so they can shop and spend more, another maybe happy to get the extra money working to pay the light bill, whereas another one may resent that they had to work. And finally, another population did not care either way, quite apathetic to the entire issue. It doesn’t affect them either way so who cares. 

God raised up something inside me while I listened and observed. It went something like this: We are such a superficial people. Listen to us. Complaining, angry, confused. Talking, talking, talking about the injustices of the retail store hours on Thanksgiving. Oh God, if we would only get this fired up about the things that break your heart like we get fired up about the “SHOPPING CENTER HOURS,” we would really make a difference in this sin-sick world. If we, God’s people would rise up against  child, elder, spouse abuse, the homeless, poverty, gang violence, sex trafficking and sleeping churches who are called to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ, injustice, kids who are dying and no one cares, other countries that don’t know Jesus and no one cares, Christian marriages that are deadly but other Christians say stay in it even if it kills you, misuse of the Word of God, teens cutting themselves to pieces, girls and boys starving themselves to death (literally to death), grade school children in deep depression to the point of suicide, children having sexual addictions, drug addictions, alcohol addictions and the list goes on and on. 

Ask yourself- On a scale of 1-10, how angry do you get about those things mentioned above? You may find that you do not think about them much at all. If you find that that is the case, I want to remind you of a truth:

God desires to Raise UP a People for HIS NAME, HIS PRAISE AND HIS GLORY!!!

God has called us to walk out our purposes in the authority of our King Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, bringing glimpses of His Kingdom into areas of darkness. Oh, may we be a people that rise up to be ambassadors of the light! 

I have been reading through the Book of Acts, describing how Stephen, Peter and the disciples pray and then GO OUT! They got their marching orders straight from God through the person of the Holy Spirit and went out! Amen! People were healed, demons were cast out; they became disciples of Jesus Christ. 

In the Powerful name of Jesus, let us grow emotionally and spiritually mature.  We must begin to cry out to our Father, “Break our hearts for what breaks yours” as the Mercy Me songs so well says. Let us not continue to be blinded by our own agendas and hardness of hearts.      

Challenge: What is God’s unique, one-of-a-kind design on your life? You do have one, and you cannot escape it just because you weren’t raised in a healthy home, weren’t raised in a Christian home and the list goes on and on.

I would encourage you to dive into Scripture, check out the early church in Acts. Stay tuned into Pastor Nate’s sermon series. Let’s all become the Church we are called to be! 

Amen and Hallelujah, the Highest Praise.