Isaiah 1:167-20 – “Wash! Cleanse yourselves!   Remove your sinful deeds. from my sight.  Stop sinning.  ¹⁷ Learn to do what is right.  Promote justice. Give the oppressed reason to celebrate.  Take up the cause of the orphan. Defend the rights of the widow.  ¹⁸ Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord.  “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.  ¹⁹ If you have a willing attitude and obey, then you will again eat the good crops of the land.  ²⁰ But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.”  Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was both encouraged and troubled, yet also challenged, motivated, and inspired. I can’t detail all that, but I desire to speak from this reminder: Every Restoration and Revival begins with Repentance.  

Isaiah 1:16-20 speaks directly to that reality.  Repentance involves and includes an 180-degree turn in life, thought, motivation, and action.  That’s why John the Baptizer said, “Bring forth fruits that reveal your repentance.”

• Repentance is visible by the demonstrated change. 
• Repentance opens the door to transformation.  
• Repentance is not praying “The Sinner’s Prayer.”

That’s good, but unless it is heartfelt and leads to change, it’s nothing but leaves (words).   Saying “I’m so” doesn’t cut it.  Demonstrating a change reveals true repentance.

I see this connected to the Lord’s Supper (Communion).   In 1 Corinthians 11, we have an extensive discussion about this event.  Paul began by addressing “divisions” and connected them to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Sectarianism is detrimental to Body Life and Ministry.   Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 12.

The Lord’s Supper has a dual focus.   First, the focus is Jesus!   His work of Grace and Love.   He opened the door for there to be a Body of Christ. Second is the Body of Christ.  This is so important that it is included in the Communion ceremony.   

Without the Body, we lack the power and ability to fulfill the purpose, ministry, and commission of the Church.  We are One Body, not mini-bodies of parts that think and act alike.  The Body needs all its parts, and for those parts to be in place, healthy, and working in harmony with all the other parts.  The result of improperly regarding and relating to the body is revealed in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30. The proper action is in (v 31).

Repentance is the key!  As 1 Corinthians 13:1 addresses, just saying the right-sounding words doesn’t cut the mustard.  Repentance attaches us to Love, and Love transforms our minds, hearts, and souls.

We cry for God to move, and God says, “I have; now you move!”   He gave us Jesus.   He gave us grace.   He gave us the pathway: repentance.   He won’t do more until we act on His actions!  When the Body of Christ repents, revival, renewal, and restoration will come!

LORD, help us to have repentant hearts to receive Your Grace and Pardon!

Proverbs 6:20-22 – “My child, guard the commands of your father and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.  ²¹ Bind them on your heart continually; fasten them around your neck.  ²² When you walk about, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, our part in the process filled my consciousness.   We tend to go too far in our expectations. We either want God to do everything for us, or we try to do everything for ourselves.  Salvation cannot be earned.  Grace is not payment for doing right; it is the power to enable us to become right.  Grace is not only unmerited favor; it is divine enablement.

Our part in this Christian Walk is obedience.  Out of obedience, we are required and expected to use restraint and self-control.   Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things abominable to God.  Things that will block His presence and hinder our spiritual development. Pride, lying, violence, scheming, wicked hearts (thoughts), false witness (spreading rumors, Sowing discord), causing trouble.

On the other hand, we have a listing of what will lead us to life (vv 20-22). Obedience to the principles of life in God’s Word.   If we make them our daily food, diligent pursuit, and rule of conduct, we discover (v 22).

“When you walk about (daily routine), they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you.” That is incredible.   What a promise.   Do we embrace it?  Do we realize what is promised?  Do we realize the benefit and provision?  Is it evidenced in our daily lives?

The promise is a divine inner guidance system (Heavenly GPS).  Think about that!  If we seek God and obey His directives, He promises to guide us through life!  An inner witness to know what to do and what not to do.  How many lament, “Lord, I don’t know what to do.”   If God is first and His directions are obeyed, we do know; we just need to stop and listen.

Imagine having Heaven’s Armies watching over and guarding you as you sleep.  What peace that would provide.  No more sleepless nights.  No more tossing and turning.   Total Peace! (Isaiah 26:3).   If that is absent, ask, WHY?   Examine your heart and life.  What are you focused on?

Then, when you wake up from that night of total rest, God’s instructions, precepts, and principles speak to you! God talks to you!   Proverbs 7:1-2: “My child, devote yourself to my words (God’s) and store up my commands (God’s) inside yourself (heart). Keep my commands (God’s) SO THAT you may live (not simply not die or survive, but live) and obey my instructions (God’s) as your most prized possession.”

That is the key. How valuable is God’s Word? Matthew 6:33 is relevant.   Romans 8:37 gives rise to the question, “Do we truly comprehend the totality of our victory in Jesus?”   Read it: “No, in all these things we have Complete victory through Him who loved us.”

If we are in Him, we are dead to the flesh but alive to God.  How dead are we?   How alive are we?  Take stock, then pursue that which produces life!

Proverbs 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”
 
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the word “Discipline” kept echoing in my heart.   Couple that with judgment, stewardship, fellowship, and confession, and you have the whole package.

In life, it is easy to fall into the trap of an undisciplined life.   Out of that state comes corruption, confusion, chaos, and self-deception.   That leads to a loss of fellowship and a tarnished testimony.

Proverbs 27:1 should be viewed as a directive to live one day at a time, moment to moment.   Fantasizing about what if or when distracts from the moment, and since we have no guarantees of another breath, seizing the moment and redeeming it for the kingdom is vital.   That does not mean don’t make plans or have a dream or vision; it means staying in the present.
 
Life is a progression that requires line upon line, brick upon brick, event upon event to achieve its purpose.   We want it now!  No, we want it Yesterday!   Impatience is our pattern; Commitment is God’s.

Proverbs 28:18-19 is incredibly revelatory, but the liberating revelation is often missed.   It speaks of the awful condition of living in perpetual lack. Those who live there often say, “I don’t know why God has me going through this.”    Yes, you do, if you will stop and think.   
 
Look at (v 19), the two aspects present.  Whoever invests himself in full pursuit of God’s present assignment will have provision.  The one who invests time, money, and thought in a daydream (no matter how seemingly noble it may be) will endure perpetual lack.    If we find ourselves there, maybe we should ask, “Is this dream truly my purpose? Could it be a fantasy that is producing a drain on my life?”

Proverbs 30:11-14 reveals societal conditions that determine the spiritual state and fate.   In the rest of that chapter, we have some astounding revelations about life that explain and point to victory if we can embrace the lesson.

In 1 Corinthians 5, the subject of church discipline is brought to the table. This horrific abomination of incestuousness is being tolerated with the brag of “tolerance.”   Christians who are deceived into excessive tolerance for whatever reason harm the Message of the Cross.

What would happen if the Body of Christ, in love and firmly grounded in Scripture, addressed the corruption within the church today?  First, the possibility of redemption and restoration must be embraced.   If the motive for discipline is not restoration, it is judgment and vindictiveness.   Second, the world would be stripped of its argument, “They are no different than us.” Our testimony would be enhanced and preserved.

Read 1 Corinthians 5:11-13.   Read it and look at ourselves.   Read it open to conviction.   Read it with redemption and restoration in mind.  God’s discipline is always redemptive!  That is always God’s heart. Punishment comes, but God’s heart is redemption, so should ours be!
 
LORD, guard us against an undisciplined life!

Proverbs 11:2-3 – “After pride came, disgrace followed; but wisdom came with humility.  ³ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I kept hearing the word – FRUIT! That set the course for my meditation.   In Proverbs 11:2-3, I was challenged by contrasts and progressions.   Disgrace follows pride, looking for an opportunity to prevail.  Humility follows wisdom, seeking opportunity to manifest itself.  Integrity is an inner GPS or Pathfinder!

In (vv 5-6), we see the power of True Righteousness.   In Proverbs 12:1, we observe the power or fruit of discipline!   In (v 14), we see the Fruit of words, and in (v 11), the value (fruit) of completing and focusing on our assignment rather than chasing any fantasy.

In Proverbs 13:2-6, we come face-to-face with the fruit of our words.   In Proverbs 15:1, we see the fruit of our reaction to every situation.   It is predictive of the outcome!  In Proverbs 16:7, we recognize the fruit of faithfulness.  In Proverbs 19:17, we discover the fruit of generosity.

Those are examples of Fruit, but the question is, “How Do We Become That Person?” The answer is in Romans 12:1-3.  Notice the pathway and progression.

• Total Submission to God.

Give Him Everything.   Give Him every possession. Give Him every thought.   Give Him every desire.    Give Him Everything.  Give Him 100% control and surrender.    How could that be unthinkable when our eternal soul hangs in the balance?   Do we trust Him?

• Determine that we will stop participating in Conformity to the World, the Flesh, and the devil.

But set our hearts to participating and cooperating in our Transformation! Dying to Self is a process.

• Begin Renewing or Reprogramming the mind.

What do we think about?  What do we think?  Why do we think what we think?  What will build us up, and what will tear us down?

Then follow the guidance of Romans 12:3-8. The gifts – The What and the How.   Start doing what we are!   Do not tell God what we do not have; do what we know we can and what our heart draws us to do.

If you are a planner, plan.   If you are an encourager, encourage.   If you are a giver, give.   If you are a prayer, pray.   If you are a singer, sing.  If you are a fixer, fix.  See it?  Be it!

As you become, the Fruit will be produced.  Transformation will transpire, and you will climb higher and higher spiritually.

Psalm 127:1-2 – “If the Lord does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain.  If the Lord does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.  ² It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food.  Yes, he provides for those whom he loves even when they sleep.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the thought of “Total Dependency on God” filled my thoughts.

We all have plans, dreams, goals, and ambitions, even fantasies or deep longing hope.  Some pursue those at the expense of everything else, and some only daydream in whimsical fantasy because the dream is too vast and complex to believe they could achieve.  They become convinced it is impossible because of some inadequacy in them or their failures.  They live trusting what they can do!  They miss the hope of life!

Psalm 127:1-2 provides a liberating revelation if we comprehend it. It is more than a statement of fact; it is a revelation of release.   Only God!   Our plans may seemingly produce results, but they are flawed.   Only God can transform the impossible into the possible and defeat into victory. Only God can provide while we sleep.   We accomplish nothing in our sleep, except sleep and maybe dreams.   But God provides wisdom and knowledge as we sleep.   Divine downloads in the night.

In Psalm 130:5-6, the encouragement is Total Dependence on God! Psalm 139 overflows with hope, promise, and assurance.   Here we realize that God, our God, is the Living God who knows   Everything and is everywhere!   He formed us with purpose.   Each of us is uniquely designed! Each of us has abilities, talents, gifts, and opportunities to satisfy God’s designed purpose.

I love (vv 23-24) where the light of revelation comes on if we can receive it. He asks, “Examine me!”   Wow!   “Probe my thoughts, test me, and know my concerns.”   Do you see it?   Dig deep into the recesses of my heart and mind, bring to the surface all those doubts and fears of inadequacy, and help me face them in Total Dependency on God!

If God is who the Bible describes, and we are in Him and He is in us (New Creations, Transformed Creations, Filled with the Holy Spirit), how can we fail to accomplish any assignment as we Totally Depend on God?

What is it God cannot do? The life that I now live (in the flesh), I live by the faith of the Son of God.   I live, but not I; it is Christ IN me.   Life is Jesus living as a single unit with me!   How dare I think I am inadequate in that light? How dare I say I have no gift, talent, or ability – The Resurrected Jesus lives in me!

Let’s receive that revelation and determine to live every second of every minute in Total Dependency on GOD!