ExperiencingJoythroughrepentance

Dr.RobertHeidlerinhisbook,TheMessianicChurchArising,pages201202, (Heidler, 2006) has developed some suggested exercises for repentance. This exercisebelowislargelybasedonhissuggestions.Duringanynationaldayof repentance,oranydayoftheyearforthatmatter,thisisanexcellentexercise.We recommend thatyou taketimetocompletethisjoyfulexercise. Itshould bea leisurelydinnerwiththeLordasyouwelcomeHimintoyourheartandHe assistsyouintherepentingprocesstobeanovercomer.(Revelation3:1922).Its essentiallymovingfromsintojoyinafewbasicsteps. Joy follows repentance in the same way that the most joyous seven day festival in Hebrew tradition follows five days after the most solemn Day of Atonement.Leviticus23:40says:youshall rejoicebeforetheLordyourGodfor sevendays. SteponeissettingasidetimetobealonewithGod.Formanythiswillbe just before bed or early inthe morning. Dr. Heidler suggests: As you come beforetheLord,bringyourBible,apen,andpaper.BeginbyreadingPsalms32 and51,whereDavidshareshistestimonyofconfessingsin.ThankGodforHis loveandaskHisSpirittoministertoyou.

Next,askGodtobringtomindanysinsHewantsyoutoconfess.Pray,as David did, Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme. (Psalm139:23).AsGodbringsyour sins to mind, write them down. Make a list of your sins. When God stops bringingthemtomindaskHim,Isthereanythingelse? AsHeshowsyoumoresins,writethemdownalso.Writedowneverysin Heshowsyou. Dontbeinahurryanddonttrytomakeexcusesmakeyour listascompleteaspossible.Whenyouask,Isthereanythingelse?andGod doesntshowyouanymore,youknowyourlistiscomplete.Younowhavealist ofeverysinGodwantsyoutoconfess. The third step is confession. When you feel your list is complete, pray carefullythroughthelist,confessingthemoneatatime.AskHimforforgiveness. In1John1:9,Godassuresusthat: Ifweconfessoursins,Heisfaithfulandjustto forgiveusoursinsandtocleanseusfromallunrighteousness. Atanypointofconfessingasinwhenyousincerelywishtobedonewithits holdonyou, renounceitbynameusingtheNameofJesusChrist ,theName aboveallnames,usingthefullpoweroftheHolySpiritavailabletoyouatthat point,includinganyheavenlylanguageyoumayhave. WhenwecomeintoagreementwithGodaboutoursin,Herestoresus. Weare forgivenandcleansed.ThebloodofJesushasalreadypaidthepriceforeverysinin yourlife.Beforeyouevenexisted,GodlovedyousomuchHetookthepenalty foryoursinuponHimself.AswecomebeforeHiminhumilitytoconfessoursin, GodappliestheAtoningSacrificeofJesustoourlivesandrestoresustofull fellowshipwithHim. Whenyouhaveprayedovereveryitemonthelist,confessingeverysin, there is one more step. Take your sheet of paper listing all the sins youve confessed,turnthepapersidewaysandwriteacrossthelistinBOLDlettersthe promiseof1John1:9:Ifweconfessoursins,Heisfaithfulandjustandwillforgiveus

oursinsandpurifyusfromallunrighteousness. ThankGodthateverysinisnowconfessedandforgiven!Now,takethat list,tearitupanddestroyit!Dontshowyourlisttoanyone.Asyoutearupyour list,youwillexperienceanevengreaterjoythantheIsraelitesexperiencedwhen theywatchedthatsecondgoatledawayintothewilderness! Youwillbeassured thatGodhasdealtwithyoursinsandthatyourdefilementhasbeentakenaway! AtthatpointourLordJesustruthinJohn16:24willbecomereal;Hisjoy awaitsus:UntilnowyouhaveaskednothinginMyname.Ask,andyouwillreceive, thatyourjoymaybefull.