Repentence Is The Starting Point

"...I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house have committed against you" (Nehemiah 1:6).

Repentance is a change of mind and heart which influences our actions. Nehemiah demonstrated repentance after hearing about the distress of Jerusalem. The interesting thing is that Nehemiah could have claimed that he had no part in the demise of his beloved city. After all, he was living in Babylon and he was a cup bearer for the king and was doing well. But, Nehemiah realized that even though he was not present in the city, that he was inseparably connected in a relationship of oneness.

What we do impacts others and it contributes to the world at large either positively or negatively. Nehemiah recognized personal responsibility in what happens in the world. He did not feel that he was powerless and without responsibility with what happens.

When he hears of the destruction of Jerusalem, he immediately repents. A person who is living in exile, miles away begins to intercede for his city and people. He takes upon the sins of the city and prays that God will keep and bless them. Nehemiah has a change of mind and heart--He repents and then he prays for the Lord to use him and give him favor and the solution.

There can be no rebuilding, restoration or renewal unless we first repent. We have to acknowledge that we have missed it, we have sinned and that we are major players in what happens in our lives. We have to have a change of mind and heart that takes responsibility for where we are in our lives and pray that God would use us as the solution.

Repentance is the starting point in rebuilding, restoring and renewing of our lives.

Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!

Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA