*Return To The Lord Your God*
2Chronicles 30:9 "For if you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him."
Sometimes we are overwhelmed when we consider just how small we are and just how little an impact our lives make in the overall scheme of things going on in life. There are everyday occurrences and rare tragedies that stress us and bring us to humility. Sadly, when things go well, we tend to become arrogant and feel a sense of self worth, and we try not to allow anyone to remove that from us. But usually for the most part, we find that we are not in control over much of what this life offers. We may complain, but all our complaints do not change a thing.
On the other hand, you do make a big difference in the lives of those whom you interact. How you behave brings happiness and joy into the hearts of loved ones, or it can produce sorrow. Who you befriend makes a difference in those lives, and those you help feel a sense of blessing has surrounded them. So don*t ever think that you do not matter in life, because your life does matter. It matters to those you meet and it matters to God.
Joel 2:13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.
If we are truly penitent, and ask for forgiveness we know that God is faithful to forgive our sins (1 John 1:7,9).
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Putting on a front does not work when it comes to serving God. God knows and reads the hearts of men. That is why we need to return to the Lord with our whole heart.
Jeremiah 24:7 'Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
When we become so overwhelmed by the things in life, we begin to despair and seek help from Divine intervention. There are times that require prayer and those times come every day. How often in your prayers do you call upon the Heavenly Father's forgiveness and protection for our nation? Not often enough, I suppose. Yes, we need to confess our sins.
Hosea 14:1 tells us the reason we need to return to the Lord your God; *because you have stumbled in your iniquities*. An iniquity is just another word for sin, error, bad judgment, or just plain ole selfishness. Isaiah 59:2 tells us that our sins separate us from God, so for us to return to God there must be a reconciliation, and that we cannot do by our own works. Jesus provides such for us, and it is through Jesus that we can be saved. How?
We are commanded to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for our sins. (Acts 8:37). We must repent of our sins (Luke 13:3) and we must confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32) and we must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then we must remain faithful and continue learning (2 Peter 3:18). Let us help you on your spiritual journey. May God bless you in your study of His word.
Remember if we return to God, He will bring blessings upon us.

By Carey Scott

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