Jesus preached as did John His forerunner, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Lately, I have been hearing these words ring loud and clear out of heaven. I told God the other day that things are in such a mess; there are so many people who are sick or under attack in some manner. I was crying out to Him that we need to see more of His kingdom power. Is there anybody out there that feels like the church is missing the power? I distinctly heard Him say back to me, “It is your fault!” Who me? Was that really you, Father? Wow, those words totally astounded me. I thought about making excuses, but then I realized it wouldn’t do me any good. How can you argue with God?
I determined quickly that if I want to see more of the Kingdom manifested in the earth, then I must repent. What do I need to repent from? That word means to turn and go in the opposite direction. It is not telling God,”Oh, I am sorry;” it is so much more than that. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. It means to do a 180 and change and go in the opposite direction. So I have to change my attitude, my mindset, even acknowledge that it is His church, and He is the one who has to build it. I am not called to build it for Him; I am only His servant. And, yes, that brings up something else I have had to repent of, and that is doing my own will. It is not my will that needs to be done in the earth. My will needs to be put to death so that only His will remains alive in me. Just like Jesus, I have to come to the place where I only do the Father’s will. I think it is about time the “church” had a “Garden of Gethsemane” experience. Genuine repentance brings not only pardon but complete restoration. True repentance opens the door for the Kingdom to come in greater measure in our lives and brings about a deeper face to face relationship with our Father.
Then Matt. 4:23 came to mind. Remember, I was crying out for God’s power to manifest. And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Vs. 24 says Jesus healed them. We must preach the kingdom if we want to see people healed. We must preach and obey. Mark 16:18 which is part of the Great Commission says to lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. It doesn’t say they might recover; it says they will recover. I have to admit that I haven’t been seeing enough people healed and delivered lately. We have a hands on hands ministry. It is God releasing His power through our hands. It is time we cross the chicken line, and just do what He says.
So what is the problem? God, you are right; it is ME. I must repent and be about my Father’s business. Doing the will of God and not seeking my own will brings the kingdom into the earth in power and demonstration. I must press in to gain the Kingdom: first in repentance, then in prayer warfare, coupled with a will to surrender my own life and self interests, in order to gain His Kingdom in power and authority.
Let the Spirit search your heart and show you what you need to repent from. Possibly it is something different than what I have had to repent from doing. Then, when the Spirit shows you, be quick to do it.
I want more; how about you?
