Day 11 - REPENTANCE AND PERSONAL NEEDS II

DAY 11 - REPENTANCE AND PERSONAL NEEDS II
Luke 18:9-14
"Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted inthemselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two menwent up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a taxcollector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, Ithank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers,or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes ofall that I possess.' 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, wouldnot so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down tohis house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exaltshimself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

1. Where there is self-righteousness, judgment and fault finding,there can be NO true repentance - vv11 & 12 "The Pharisee stood andprayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like othermen-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess."
2. True repentance begins with a humble awareness of one's own sinand shortcomings - v13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, wouldnot so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,'God, be merciful to me a sinner!"
3. Humility BEFORE God always precedes Honor FROM God - v 14 "I tellyou, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other;for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbleshimself will be exalted." Prov.15:33

HOW TO PRAY -

REPENTANCE

1. Acknowledge God's unfailing love and His willingness to forgiveyou - Psalm 51
2. Confess your sin and things in your life that have becomedistractions and hindrances to fulfilling your God given potential andpurpose - Hebrews 12:1
   * Sins of the Heart - Unforgiveness, Offense, Bitterness &Resentment, Pride, Doubt and Unbelief, etc.
   * Sins of the Flesh - All sexual sin i.e. adultery, fornication,pornography, alternate lifestyles, etc.
   * Sins of the Tongue - Negativity, Gossip, Slander, Lying,Coarse Jesting, Backbiting, Bearing False Witness, etc
3. Honestly confront the toxic patterns in your life and allowGod's wisdom to permeate the deepest recesses of your being
   * Insecurity, Jealousy, Co-Dependency, Fear, etc.
4. Allow God to restore your heart and soul with the peace, joy andcomfort of the Holy Spirit
5. Allow your story of restoration to become a testimony of God'slove and mercy to those who do not believe

PERSONAL NEEDS

Matthew 7:7-10 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you willfind; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asksreceives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will beopened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread,will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him aserpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to yourchildren, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give goodthings to those who ask Him!"

1. Confidently present yourself AND your requests to God - Hebrews4:14-16; Matthew 7:7; Isaiah 1:19; Numbers 23:19
2. Pray according to what He has promised in His Word - Isaiah 55:11;Jeremiah 1:12; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Psalm 35:27; Job 36:11; Joshua 21:45(AMPLIFIED)
3. He will hear and answer - Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 40:1; Psalm 116:2; 2
4. Receive the answer with thanksgiving - Luke 17:11-18; Philippians4:6-7

Following hard after God,

Keith A. Craft

Day 11 - REPENTANCE AND PERSONAL NEEDS II