Have you turned your back to God? Do you want to turn back to God?

Maybe your flesh has gotten the best of you once again and now you miss the sweet fellowship that you had with Jesus.

First, it’s ok, perfection is not something that you possess but here you are reading about 3 steps to turn back to God because you want to reconcile with Him. This is exactly why he will forgive you and welcome you back with arms wide open once you are repentant.

David’s ability to turn back to God is why he was known as a man after God’s own heart. And God can think of you in this way as well.

It’s interesting that no matter how good God is (and he is truly GOOD), we manage to let our flesh or a temptation to get between us and God.

In the book of Revelation (3), there are 7 churches that are mentioned and discussed.

One of the churches, the church of Laodicea was so far away from him that He actually called them lukewarm. To be lukewarm is to do things halfheartedly without care; it is simply to be neither hot nor cold. This is not what God wants; he wants you to be on fire for him.

I wrote spoken word poetry entitled lukewarm and I would like to share it with you. Get it at the end of this post if you would like to. Let me know in the comments if you liked it.

So how do I turn back to God when I fear I’m too far removed: (From the vantage of the church of Laodicea)

 

1. Think back to when you first began

 

Can you remember when you first accepted Jesus as your Savior? You felt like a weight was lifted off your shoulder and you were on fire for God.

I was 9 years old when that happened and let me tell you, I witnessed to all my friends.  One of my best friends was lead to Jesus during that first year as well. I was on fire in telling others about the goodness of God.

And my care for others rose to another level. For the first time, I realized how important it was to care for others by telling them about their destiny without Jesus.

How about you? I do not know what your fire was like when you first started but you do and God does too. Can you remember how awesome it felt to share the good news of God?

It could be that your fire was different. If you stopped doing things that would displease God and others noticed your change and asked about your faith then that is amazing.

Maybe you were one who others decided would never stick to it or they thought it was a phase and you proved them wrong. Can you remember?

So, what happened?

Why did the fire die out?

Could it be?

“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation.3:17)

Maybe just like the church of Laodicea you have taken God for granted and now everything you do is for your own pleasure. When the material possessions of this world are abundant in your life, your fire may die out but it can be rekindled.

Remember how it once was when you first believed.

There is hope for you yet.

 

2. Ask for forgiveness

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1John.1:9)

There is nothing you can do that God will not forgive. I think I need to repeat this for the doubters, there is absolutely nothing you can do that God will not forgive.

Just go to him with a contrite heart. Even though God was not pleased with their lifestyle, he told them exactly how to repent and turn from their ways.

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation.3:19)

He is waiting, waiting for you to realize that your service lack standards. Jesus is willing to forgive you as soon as you repent and ask for forgiveness. If you do something to someone and ask forgiveness after they would most likely withhold it from you.

But that’s not the way of Jesus; He wants your love for him to be rekindled. And this will happen when you repent.

Repent means to turn away or turn from one thing to the next. You know that it is time to turn back to God. When you withdrew from him, he did not move away. He is still the same place that you left him, patiently waiting for you to return.

If your fire has burned out, if you are discouraged or despondent, he is willing to restore your fire if you’ll allow him.

Turn away from your sin and turn back to God.

A simple prayer with a contrite heart is all that is needed to rekindle your flame and love for your God.

He has said in his word that he will never turn away a broken and contrite heart. (Psalms.51:17)

 

 

3. Return to the fire

 

God made it very easy for you to get up when you have fallen. Yes, you might be out of touch but now that you are ready to repent and fully turn away from your sin, he is opening his arms wide ready to receive you.

This is what he said to the church of Laodicea:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation.3:20-21.

God made it clear that he doesn’t want you to be lukewarm or cold. You can blaze again and set the world on fire.

What has God given to you that you can use? Are you sitting on any talents, just keeping them in storage until he comes back? Use them for God.

Remember what happened to the foolish servant who hid his talent instead of developing others or making use of the one that he was given. (Matthew.25:14-30)

The master in the parable called him wicked and lazy. No, I’m not calling you that, how could I? I’m talking to myself here as well. But that is what God will say if we stand before him with nothing to offer for our time here on earth.

That’s why although you have turned your back to God, you can be restored again.

 

It’s up to you

 

If your commitment is half-hearted, turn it around. Every area of your life can be on blaze again, your finances, your church attendance, your sacrifice, your service, and your love can all be turned upside right.

Jesus is already at the door; he just wants you to answer it and let him in and he will do what he alone does best.

Are you interested in my spoken word poetry? Click here to get my poem entitled, Lukewarm.

It’s not too late, turn back to God.

Love,

Keneesha 🙂