Do you give just a lip service to God, but your actions don't follow what comes out of your mouth? Ever wonder "Where is God in this time, I need Him so badly right now, where is He?" Actually that is almost the same mentality that God is thinking about you the same time you are thinking it. Only it goes something more like this: "I am right here, all you have to do is come into my presence and have faith. I never left you...I want you so badly right now!" Did you know that when you don't experience God it is because you may be running from Him and/or you don't think He is big enough or doesn't understand you and your situation in depth enough? God is always there. He is constantly asking you "Do you love me?" The great thing is, is that He already knows everything there is to know about you, so you don't have to try to hide things or beat around the bush in telling Him things that are going on in your life. He understands you and your situation better than even you do!
Do you struggle with guilt or regret? Are you constantly being haunted by your past? The good news is...you don't have to! How is that possible? The key is REPENTANCE. We are commanded by God to repent on a daily basis. When we do this He listens and He gives us a second chance, time and time again. We must be humble, we must fall on our knees and bow down to all of Him. No holding back. When we try to go alone and do things our way, we will always experience some kind of hurt from guilt and/or regret. I must say that guilt and regret are 2 great tools for satan to mess with our heads. I have watched regret and guilt literally ruin lives.
There is no, not one thing that God cannot forgive you of if you ask for forgiveness. In the Bible Peter denied Jesus 3 times, he claimed to not even knowing Jesus. How hurtful do you think that was to Jesus? God did not cast Peter aside for doing this.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. - Matthew 26:75
He deeply regretted what he had done, and he prepared himself to receive Jesus’ forgiveness with sincere humility and a contrite heart (Psalms 51:19). Jesus forgave Peter, first by saying “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19,21,26) and then by giving Peter three opportunities to retract his denials. Peter received Jesus’ forgiveness by saying, “I love you! I love you! I love you!” (John 21:15,16,17).
When Peter went to God with sincere humility He was going to God with a sense of death in himself. He was laying himself bare in all humility in the presence of God. This is how we receive a true cleansing of guilt and regret.
1 Peter 5:6-8 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
We must go to God with everything that is within us and in order to do this we must let our flesh 'die' and give nothing less than that. If you want to get close to God then make sure that everything is dead.
If you really want to know Him, then EVERYTHING of our earthly desires and flesh MUST DIE.
Do you want revival in your life? "The depth of your repentance will determine the height of your revival. The more death that God smells, the closer He can come." - Tommy Tenney.
Our mission in life is to Love God and serve Him. When we flee from this purpose it leads us down the road of mistakes, which then leads us down the path of the wretched guilt and regret. How do we stay focused on our purpose, this world is so full of distractions? Entertainment being a big one. Movies, tv shows, video games, etc. How do you overcome such overwhelming distractions when everyone in this world sees these things as normal? The answer is: Spend time with God, spend time praying. REPENT. Repentance is not just about asking for forgiveness it is also about turning away from the things you are repenting for. This is often a big missed part in repentance. Two halves equal a whole. So, without asking for forgiveness and turning from your mistakes you certainly have not repented in whole. Surely God will tell you if you are being distracted from Him. The best way to avoid such distractions is to cut it off! Yes, it sounds drastic, but I can tell you right now from experience...it works! I literally cut things off cold turkey that were not of God. And boy did I get a reaction from my friends when I told them I know longer was watching the same tv shows as there were anymore. Especially by a non-Christian of mine. She just couldn't understand it. She was so confused that she waited until I was out of the room to ask my husband why I had turned away from such tv shows and if it was a change that was permanent. And guess what? It opened up several discussions for me to share the love of Christ and His love with her! Did she like hearing it? No, but she started to ask questions and that is key in planting seeds for the kingdom of God!
By turning away from such ungodly things God has revealed so much to me and I can hear Him so much more clearly now. It's amazing how He just lines up His purpose and direction step by step so easily when we STOP and listen.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
This is the testimony of where I am right now. Feel free to ask me questions because if you do not believe in transforming away from this world's distracting culture, I can testify that I have experienced the blessings that God has for all of us when we let our flesh 'die' and do all things for and in Christ.
Where do you start? Again, it has to start with repentance. We must drop everything that we are doing and everything that is within us and let God use us as He has planned. Release your regrets and guilt and move onto the beautiful place God has for you. It is a choice, you must choose to go there. Otherwise, you will continue the path of burdens that make you feel sick and purposeless. We must empty ourselves out. We must decrease, so that He may increase in our lives. You must experience unearthly weeping in repentance. You must let go of it all, no holding back. You must move out so that God may move in. Please bow your head as you fall onto your knees right now and experience the unearthly weeping that the Holy Spirit has brought upon us and repent. And as the Lord told Peter: "Peace be with you".
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