Repent?

"And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." Genesis 6:6-7

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"REPENT'ANCE, n.

1. Sorrow for any thing done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.

2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.

3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2Cor. 7. Matt. 3.

Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God."

1828

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Too often, I feel, the word "REPENT" is thrown around. Repentance is NOT, as commonly thought in the mainstream, the act of turning away from sin, but rather repentance is what CAUSES the turning away from sin. The turning away and rejection of sin is the product of repentance, not the definition of it. Even the Lord was repented, but that was not from sin, but from sorrow.

Repentance is the sorrow, the grief, the conviction that comes from sin. Therefore, repentance can ONLY be spurred by the Holy Spirit, not man. We cannot make anyone feel sorry for their sin anymore than we can "make a horse drink," yet too often people cry out "REPENT! REPENT AND BE SAVED!"

While it is true that no one can be saved without being repentant of their sin, that repentance is not something that another person can inspire a man to feel.

The Spirit comes by faith, and faith by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Preach the gospel, minister to others, stand on the Word of God, but we should not be so proud as to tell others to repent. Repentance is not an action, it is a thing, a feeling. One can't DO repentance, one can only feel it to the point of breaking.

So, rather than telling people to repent, perhaps we should encourage them to seek the Lord instead. One thing is for sure, if they are truly seeking, they will surely find, and repentance will soon follow.

The Voice of Vengeance

"God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies." Nahum 1:2

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19

I was once rebuked for stating that, like Spurgeon, I would not ever think to try to defend the Lord, the He is fully capable of defending Himself without my feeble attempts at help. They quote 1 Peter 3:15 (But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:) in saying that we ought to defend the Gospel, depending on which Bible you are reading from. However, I offer up my explanation. Yes, we are, per 1 Peter 3:15, suppose to always be prepared to give answer to those who would ask us about our faith, our beliefs, and our blessed hope in Christ. Not only for the purpose of witnessing and winning souls, but for our preservation and defense (Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. ~v 16).

However, the LORD and His Holy Word do not NEED our defense! There is a difference between giving an answer for our faith, and defending God against the blasphemers and Pharisees of this world. After all "... the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," (Hebrews 4:12) and even the archangel Micheal would not contend with the devil in Jude 1:9, but rather gave place to the Lord! (Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.)

Too often we jump out in defense or offense of the Lord, when he has not called us to battle for His sake. The Lord is fully capable, He is just, and He will avenge. As it goes on to say in Nahum 1:3, the Lord is simply reserving His anger for the appropriate time, "The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

So what are we to do, as we wait on His sovereign ruling over the wicked?

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
...
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 12:9-18, 20-21

 

 

The Bite of Pride

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Colossians 4:5

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."
Proverbs 12:18

"The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning."
Proverbs 16:21

Don't really have much to say today, but have much to contemplate. If only well-meaning people knew how many people they cause to reject the Bible by slicing them with words and scripture, maybe they would do things differently. We were not created to be harbingers of doom and destruction, and we are not brought up in a post-Holy Spirit world to be the last two witnesses in Revelation. Rather, we are called to love, and to extend grace, and to show forth mercy and forgiveness, as the Lord did. In no way is this condoning of sin, but rather rejecting personal revelation and ones who think they know, and can speak, the mind of God. NO ONE can judge another person's salvation, especially when the "sin" in question is not a sin! I am grieved today, over the pride of man. Personal injuries are of no matter, but I am hurt for the one doing the cutting. Like the Apostle Paul, he may think he is going God a favor, but he is only blaspheming the power of the cross and the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. How many who were truly seeking came before him with questions, only to turn away saying "If THAT is their God, I want nothing to do with it!" and walk away still lost and without salvation? We will never know. However, we can bring a lesson out of everything that we encounter, and we can also pray. Lord, please bless him, and bless him with wisdom, and understanding, and remind him of the grace that he walks in and what you saved him out of.

I don't even know this guy, never spoke with him or knew of his existence before yesterday. I don't know who or where he is in his walk with Christ, but I do pray for the Lord to reveal to him what needs to be revealed. In a world of hatred, love is everything, just as Christ loved us.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."

~1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Charity

"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Philippians 2:1-4

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, and the Father by Him."
Colossians 3:17

These are only a few of the verses that display charity in action, and for HIS glory, not our own.

CHARITY, n.

1. In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.

In a selfish world of greed and flesh, we are called up out of that, to a calling of service. We are to serve one another. Each esteeming others better than ourselves. From our very own household, our families, and even complete strangers, even when they "don't deserve it" due to past hurts or actions, we are still called to service. Not for our own satisfaction or fulfillment, Lord knows that the Spirit indeed offends the flesh, but so that, as ambassadors of Christ, HIS work and word will be evident in our lives.

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Colossians 3:13

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Ephesians 4:32

Every idle word and work is a direct reflection on Christ. The world may shun and reject us, even mock us, but they continuously watch us that they may be quick to pounce when we stumble. By very character, "they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:" (Prov 1:11) It is up to us to stay in the Word, stick close to God, and measure all things by the Word. Sometimes forgiveness is not easy, not at all, but it is a must, even if they don't deserve it. I struggled with forgiving a certain family member most of my life, and that harbored unforgiveness took root and brought forth fruits of bitterness, distrust, and resentment in my life that I am still dealing with.

We have to seek the mind of Christ, who even at the nails of the cross prayed "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Sinners, those without Christ, don't know what they are doing. The Spirit brings conviction, and without the Spirit there is no conviction for things that are sinful. Yes, there can be morals apart from the Spirit, but not conviction. Even the saints stumble, and are prone to backslide, which is why 1 Corinthians speaks SO much on charity, and edification. Fellowship is needed, the RIGHT kind of fellowship, in order to edify fellow believers and encourage them in the ways of Christ. DAILY meditation on the Word of Christ is a MUST for any Christian, as is death to self. If we are to contend with this world, we need the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18; Note, the Sword is not ours to wield, it belongs expressly to the Spirit, which is found with the helmet of Salvation in the Word of God) and we need as much spiritual backup as we can get. That backup is found in a close relationship with Christ, which is cultivated by seeking His guidance in the Word and by prayer.

But in all things, charity. Someone could have the Truth of the Lord and be anointed to preach, could produce all good works and be on FIRE for Christ, yet without charity, it all profits nothing. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. Let us all seek FIRST the Lord and the furtherance of His Kingdom in our actions and words, and then seek to esteem others before ourselves. We are free, yet free to be servants of Christ. We are called to love, yet called to love not as the world loves, but as Christ loves.

"Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." 1 Timothy 5:1-2

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1

 

 

Why Modern Motherhood is So Much Harder than it Ought to Be

"All around me, young mothers are stretched, and stressed, and struggling. Mommy burnout is rampant. And while, I’m sure that to some extent, it’s always been hard to manage a house full of young children, I also have a sneaking suspicion that it’s worse today, that the women of modern generations face handicaps our foremothers didn’t have to."

READ MORE HERE

Purposeful Parenting

The older I get, the more I am starting to realize the truth that I for so long missed out on. Call it youth, call it ignorance, whatever you wish, but I never really got a hold of it until I starting having my own children. Now, this truth is all too evident in my life and in my mind.

Time Really Does Fly

Each day, each moment, they all collide into weeks and months and years, then we end up looking back wondering what happened? When did my children decide to go and grow up on me? My sweet baby girl, my firstborn, when did she grow into such a beautiful young lady?

Lord, I pray that her innocence never leave her, that You may teach her to love as you love, with unbridled compassion and a hand that reaches out to the lost, weary, and downtrodden. 

Were did the years go?

As each year passes, as each holiday season rolls around with my exclamation of "It's Christmas time already?" I am becoming more and more aware that I need to be purposeful in my actions and plans. Too often, I think, I find myself flitting about doing what needs to be done in whatsoever manner it finds my memory. I find myself distracted, torn between my duties as a home keeper and a mother at times.

Do the two really have to exist independently? 

I have a tendency to get so caught up in the here and now, in the outward appearance even, that I let slip away the fact that my children are only mine for a short time, and their hearts and minds matter more than any outward appearance of my home. This does not excuse me from my duties as a home keeper, but rather affirms to me that they are one and the same. I only have a few short years to mold my children to have hearts for the Lord and His people. I only have a few short years to build that hedge of prayer around them. What good is an immaculate house if I let my children slip away into the shadows?

Purposeful Parenting

 That is my calling. That is my mission field. To teach my children, to walk with them, to laugh with them, to give them a foundation to build upon, starting with the Rock of Jesus Christ. Purposeful parenting.... finding those tidbits in my day and PURPOSING them for the Kingdom work instead of my own indecisive meanderings. Time to read a book with my children, learn to knit so that I can pass the skill along, practice my piano more along with overseeing my daughter's practice, teach her how to bake while talking of how our Lord is our Bread of Life. Purposeful parenting is parenting with the future in mind.

Sisters

Purposeful parenting is parenting the qualities that I want to impart to my children, on a daily basis. The fruits of the Spirit take purposeful planning to sow and tend, that we may reap in due time. Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance. I must purpose in my heart to cultivate these things myself, by the grace of God, that I may share them with my children as they all too quickly grow older.

Especially joy. If there is one thing that my children are teaching me, it's that I need to be less concerned about the trivial things, and more joyful in life.

I need to run down a hill, then roll down the next one, coming to rest in a soft spot at the bottom, a sea of emerald and sage, letting life flow full and free. 

I need to lift up my eyes to the Heavens above and rejoice in the sunset that our Lord has painted as I feel the soft, warm, late-summer breeze caress my cheeks as my Savior's love envelopes my soul.

I need to catch a butterfly, then release it and watch it until I can't see it anymore, marveling at how it's tiny frail wings stand up to the force of the mountain winds.

I need to find an ant hill and watch the busy little ants as they come and go in such an orderly fashion, then talk to my babies about how the Lord calls us to work earnestly and eagerly with our hands for His glory. 

I need to learn to love with wild abandon, and let my passion for the Lord and for life overflow into my children's own souls. 

I need to be purposeful in seeking out those little things, and making a big deal of them. It's the little things that really count in the long run anyway, right?

This season of my life will be over all too soon. My nest will be empty one day. Soon, they will not be mine to hold. These early years are all that I have, I need to make the most of it.....

On purpose.

Baptism

My Amy and Joshua both put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ this summer, Praise the Lord! <3 Here is the video of their baptism this past Sunday along with two other ladies from our church. :-)