Scripture
The God of Israel is speaking to you. He is the LORD who rules over all. He says, “Change the way you live and act. Then I will let you live in this place.
~Jeremiah 7:3, NIrV
Quote
Repentance is to the spirit what breath is to the body: it is vital.
~Ya’akov
The Lord told Jeremiah to go to the Temple and deliver a message. Jeremiah stood on the steps of the Temple and said, “Stop trusting in lies. This temple is not going to save you. You are trusting a place instead of a person. You must really change the way you live and act. It is time to treat each other fairly, especially strangers widows and orphans. Stop taking advantage of the helpless in society and stop killing the innocent. If you obey the LORD, He will let you live in this place. You keep trusting in worthless lies, you continue to steal, commit murder and adultery. Then you come and stand in front of the LORD like everything is fine.
Repentance is a deep stirring conviction of sin that leads to a changed in one’s behavior. If there is no change, there is no repentance. Moses and Paul committed murder but both repented and stopped murdering. June, Chloe and I were running errands the other day and I misunderstood my directions. I realized that I had gone too far so I found a cut through and I turned around. Chloe notices every little detail. She said, “Granddaddy, why did you turn around?” I said, “because I was going in the wrong direction.” Repentance is an about face, it is turning from sin and turning to Christ. Adrian Rogers said, “We Americans are making great time, the only problem is we are going in the wrong direction.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.” America, it is time to get off this train of sin and idolatry; we are headed for destruction.
God did not force Israel to repent; it was their call but the LORD said through Jeremiah, “If you don’t repent, I will not allow you to stay in this land.” They refused to repent and He allowed them to be taken captive to Babylon. Repentance is an option, the consequences of our rebellion are not.
Don’s friend, Jimmy Hogan was promoted yesterday [4/27/17]. I rejoice that his suffering is over. I met him only once but I was impressed. His wife passed away a couple of years ago. His daughter Dawn will have all the decisions to make about his affairs. I know she would appreciate your prayers.