For some reason, repentance and forgiveness have been on my mind lately, so it might be good for us to start a discussion on them.  Even though I cannot remember a time when I did not feel the Holy Spirit in my life, my thoughts on repentance have evolved over the six-plus decades of my life.  I personally think that this kind of growth/change is good, that our Heavenly Father sees this as a dedicated interest in Him, which any good father would cherish in his child. 

     But back to repentance . . . Tani gave a great sermon on how the Israelites needed Moses to be their mediator because they had separated themselves from God.  This happened because they intentionally did something He said not to do and refused to do something He told them to do.  So, because they separated themselves from God, they had to repent through a mediator, which most did, and most survived.  Today, our mediator and everyone else's mediator is Jesus Christ-- and for us to come to God, we must go through Him.  But whether it is today or in Moses' time, the mediator must hear and accept our repentance.  Since Christ can see what's in our hearts, I think He's the perfect choice to be our mediator, because He will know if our repentance is true.

     Repentance = turn around = seeing that I have done something wrong, understanding what and why it was wrong, and deciding in your mind that you will never do it again.  Now, if you really look at that, it can be kind of complicated.

       At one time in my life, I figured: hey, when I see Him coming, I'll just say "oh, forgive me God for all my sins, I won't do them again, in Jesus' name . . . go ahead and take me home."  But I ain't so sure anymore - unless of course, because of circumstances, this is the only means of repentance.  I remember a few months back when I had to battle Pensacola drivers more than normal.  Of course, every time I'd get mad and have to repent and pray for forgiveness.  I did it so often that day for the same anger, I wondered if God was getting tired of hearing it . . . He said no, as long as you mean it every time . . .  and I did, for some reason that anger demon had me good that day.  God does NOT get tired of our repentance.  I also see that as life goes on, I understand more of what my sinfulness does {i.e., leading others astray, etc.} so as I understand more, I sometimes feel the need to repent anew; not because God needed me to, but because I felt I need to.

     Each time I repent and ask for forgiveness in Jesus' name, I get closer to God. So, I've decided to just keep on repenting and asking for forgiveness ... why not, I'm getting closer to God, and there ain't anything wrong with that!

​                    See ya, Sunday, and every day – on the internet! www.facebook.com/timthepastor.

                                                      All glory and honor to God! 
                                                     Peace and blessings, Tim.