Repent

From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 AMP

Repent - not a word we hear too often today. Jesus used it frequently.

Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God, And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel). Mark 1:14-15 AMP

Repent - have a change of mind which issues in:
- regret for past sins
- change of conduct for the better

What does it take to repent? On our part it takes a humble heart. A heart that acknowledges we do things wrong every day. We don't have all the answers. A heart that genuinely wants to change for the better. A heart that wants to live only for God's ways.

And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 AMP

God wants us to repent, to turn to His way of living. Here is something to think about ....

You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into radical life-change. Romans 2:3-4 The Message

We are not perfect. God is. God calls us to repent and change our ways - continually. It is not a once off happening.

So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. 
Revelation 3:3a AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way, 

Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heart with your ears - grasp it again and turn back to God. Revelation 3:3a The Message

God knows how difficult it is for us to change. He doesn't expect us to change by ourselves, in our own strength. He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us change. We just have to listen and obey.

Question for today, how does repentance fit into your daily relationship with God? 

I know for me it needs to be a much more frequent action than it is currently. So my prayer today is ...

Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus, and that through Him we have access to You. I repent of being prideful and not always being obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God please help me to better accept your will for my inner self. In Jesus Name, Amen.

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19 AMP