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| REPENT By Dr. Gary Hanson Ph.D. |
When John the Baptist introduced Yahshua to the world, he said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand.” When Yahshua began his public ministry he said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.” What did they mean by that statement?
In today’s language they would probably have said, “Change your way of thinking, because the kingdom
of heaven is near.” In what way should you repent, or change your way of thinking?
Steven Covey, in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People says that if you want to change a
situation, you must first change yourself. To change yourself you must first change your perception. What
does it mean to change your perception?
Suppose you work for a company that needs to downsize itself so it can remain profitable? Suppose you
are laid off as a result? What would be your perception of yourself?
One of my favorite TV shows years ago was the second generation Kung Fu, where the grandson, Peter,
worked as a city cop. One time he stated, “I’m a cop. It’s what I do, it’s who I am.” A lot of people define
themselves by the work they do, the occupation they hold or the social status they are in. If your self
esteem is based on your job or who you work for, then getting laid off could become very emotionally
devastating. To cope with the situation you would first have to change your perception of yourself.
Suppose there is a family member, a neighbor, co-worker, or even a supervisor that you are always
fighting and arguing with. Suppose you wake up every day knowing that they are going to do or say
something nasty that will make you mad and spoil the rest of your day?
How can you change that situation?
Is Yahshua right? Is it time to change your way of thinking? And will a change in your thinking change the
outcome of your situation?
Both John the Baptist and Yahshua pointed out that the reason it was time for people to change their way
of thinking was because the kingdom of heaven was near. Why should that fact be important?
For centuries people knew that the kingdom of heaven was coming. It was a common theme in the
prophecies of the Old Testament. It was based on the dream of King Nebuchadnezzer, King of the world
ruling Empire of Babylon. The king spread the message throughout his kingdom that a kingdom of
heaven would come in the future, and the people should be ready for it. So, when Yahshua began
teaching that the kingdom of Heaven was near, the people were ready for it. But, they did not understand
why he said it was time for them to change their thinking.
He told them that the kingdom of heaven was not, and would never be in the material realm. The kingdom
of heaven was within, and it was the task of the individual to go in and find it. So, how do you find the
kingdom of heaven within?
To find the kingdom of heaven within, you must first change your perception of the kingdom of heaven!
Then, you will begin to change your way of thinking about the kingdom of heaven. Consequently, that
change in thinking will change the course of your life.
Is your perception of yourself wrapped up in the work you do in the material world? Does your social
status, or your professional status define who you think you are? Then beware! Someday, it will all
change! Someday, you will be old and have nothing left but your memories. Will those memories carry
you through the transition of death? Or is now the best time to change your perception of who you are?
Charlie Brown said, “Why is everybody always picking on me?”
Rodney Dangerfield said, “I never get any respect.”
Do you feel like this is the story of your life?
Then it is time to change that story line to something else. It is time to change your perspective. It is time
to change your perception of yourself. It is time for people to know the real you. It is time to change your
self. It is time to change your thinking.
Or, as the old King James Bible put it, “It is time to repent!”
Yahshua said, “The kingdom of heaven is within.” He said,”You are a child of Yahweh.” He said, I and MY
Father are One, and if you are in me and I in you, then you are One with us. What does this mean?
You are an extension of Cosmic Consciousness. You are a product of Intelligent Design. You are a part of
Divine Mind. You are an individual extension of the Universal Soul. You are a child of the Heavenly
Father. You are a brother of Yahshua the Messiah. You are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven!
Can you go within, as Yahshua suggested, and find yourself? Can you find out who you really are, and
what you really do in this life? Can you change your perception of yourself as an extension of Divine
Intelligence? When you can change your perception to this, your new identity, then you will be on the
threshold of changing your thinking. And the change in your thinking will begin to change your life!
Yahshua said, “The Father knows what you need before you even ask.”
Another time he said, to take no anxious thought for your future, because if the Father provides for the
birds and animals, he will provide even more for you.
If you are an extension of the Mind of Yahweh, then if you open up to his Mind, he will guide your mind
where to go and what to do to find a job, get a better job or get a promotion for better pay or conditions.
Yahweh will provide, if you just allow it to happen.
What about that bad relationship in your life? Why is that person always picking on you? What did you
ever do to deserve it? Why are they so controlling? Why are they so hateful, vengeful, hurtful?
Is that the perception your nemesis has of you? Has their reaction to you become a habit? Has your
reaction to them become a habit? Do they know how to push your buttons? Why not remove the buttons?
Sometimes my wife says I push her buttons. I jokingly reply, “You don’t have buttons. You have switches
and they are easier to flip.” That usually changes perception enough to diffuse the situation.
To change a volatile situation with someone, requires a change in your response. Instead of reacting like
you have been put down or insulted, for example, act like it was a compliment. If they say, “It wasn’t meant
as a compliment,” you can respond, “I’m sorry, but I took it as a compliment and ain’t nothin’ you can do
about it!” It may not happen overnight, but a simple change in perception of who you really are will
eventually better the situation.
If my wife or I criticizes the other, the response will sometimes be, “I know you are, but what am I?”
Eventually, the antagonist gives up and a normal discussion can ensue.
Yahshua said, “Take no anxious thought what you shall say when you are accused, because the spirit of
the Father will give you the words to say.” Your responsibility is to tune in to the kingdom of heaven.
And where is the kingdom of heaven?
It is within.
How do you find and tune in to the kingdom of heaven?
It is important to still your active mind. It is essential to let the anxious thoughts go. You can give your
anxious thoughts over to Yahshua or to The Father, knowing they will handle the problem before you get
there, or guide you what to do or say at the time.
Once you still the mind and allow neutral thoughts to effortlessly flow, you will soon receive inspiration on
a new perception of yourself or your situation.
My 45 minute commute to work every day with the radio off, provides me with my best time for meditation
and inspiration. That is how Yahweh led me to this topic this week for you. I usually begin with a question,
thoughts begin to flow, and before I get to work inspiration hits with the appropriate answer to the
question.
Are you ready to enter the kingdom of heaven to find a new perception?
Do you know how to find it?
Write and tell me the profound changes in your life as a result of a changed perception.
at hand.” When Yahshua began his public ministry he said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.” What did they mean by that statement?
In today’s language they would probably have said, “Change your way of thinking, because the kingdom
of heaven is near.” In what way should you repent, or change your way of thinking?
Steven Covey, in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People says that if you want to change a
situation, you must first change yourself. To change yourself you must first change your perception. What
does it mean to change your perception?
Suppose you work for a company that needs to downsize itself so it can remain profitable? Suppose you
are laid off as a result? What would be your perception of yourself?
One of my favorite TV shows years ago was the second generation Kung Fu, where the grandson, Peter,
worked as a city cop. One time he stated, “I’m a cop. It’s what I do, it’s who I am.” A lot of people define
themselves by the work they do, the occupation they hold or the social status they are in. If your self
esteem is based on your job or who you work for, then getting laid off could become very emotionally
devastating. To cope with the situation you would first have to change your perception of yourself.
Suppose there is a family member, a neighbor, co-worker, or even a supervisor that you are always
fighting and arguing with. Suppose you wake up every day knowing that they are going to do or say
something nasty that will make you mad and spoil the rest of your day?
How can you change that situation?
Is Yahshua right? Is it time to change your way of thinking? And will a change in your thinking change the
outcome of your situation?
Both John the Baptist and Yahshua pointed out that the reason it was time for people to change their way
of thinking was because the kingdom of heaven was near. Why should that fact be important?
For centuries people knew that the kingdom of heaven was coming. It was a common theme in the
prophecies of the Old Testament. It was based on the dream of King Nebuchadnezzer, King of the world
ruling Empire of Babylon. The king spread the message throughout his kingdom that a kingdom of
heaven would come in the future, and the people should be ready for it. So, when Yahshua began
teaching that the kingdom of Heaven was near, the people were ready for it. But, they did not understand
why he said it was time for them to change their thinking.
He told them that the kingdom of heaven was not, and would never be in the material realm. The kingdom
of heaven was within, and it was the task of the individual to go in and find it. So, how do you find the
kingdom of heaven within?
To find the kingdom of heaven within, you must first change your perception of the kingdom of heaven!
Then, you will begin to change your way of thinking about the kingdom of heaven. Consequently, that
change in thinking will change the course of your life.
Is your perception of yourself wrapped up in the work you do in the material world? Does your social
status, or your professional status define who you think you are? Then beware! Someday, it will all
change! Someday, you will be old and have nothing left but your memories. Will those memories carry
you through the transition of death? Or is now the best time to change your perception of who you are?
Charlie Brown said, “Why is everybody always picking on me?”
Rodney Dangerfield said, “I never get any respect.”
Do you feel like this is the story of your life?
Then it is time to change that story line to something else. It is time to change your perspective. It is time
to change your perception of yourself. It is time for people to know the real you. It is time to change your
self. It is time to change your thinking.
Or, as the old King James Bible put it, “It is time to repent!”
Yahshua said, “The kingdom of heaven is within.” He said,”You are a child of Yahweh.” He said, I and MY
Father are One, and if you are in me and I in you, then you are One with us. What does this mean?
You are an extension of Cosmic Consciousness. You are a product of Intelligent Design. You are a part of
Divine Mind. You are an individual extension of the Universal Soul. You are a child of the Heavenly
Father. You are a brother of Yahshua the Messiah. You are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven!
Can you go within, as Yahshua suggested, and find yourself? Can you find out who you really are, and
what you really do in this life? Can you change your perception of yourself as an extension of Divine
Intelligence? When you can change your perception to this, your new identity, then you will be on the
threshold of changing your thinking. And the change in your thinking will begin to change your life!
Yahshua said, “The Father knows what you need before you even ask.”
Another time he said, to take no anxious thought for your future, because if the Father provides for the
birds and animals, he will provide even more for you.
If you are an extension of the Mind of Yahweh, then if you open up to his Mind, he will guide your mind
where to go and what to do to find a job, get a better job or get a promotion for better pay or conditions.
Yahweh will provide, if you just allow it to happen.
What about that bad relationship in your life? Why is that person always picking on you? What did you
ever do to deserve it? Why are they so controlling? Why are they so hateful, vengeful, hurtful?
Is that the perception your nemesis has of you? Has their reaction to you become a habit? Has your
reaction to them become a habit? Do they know how to push your buttons? Why not remove the buttons?
Sometimes my wife says I push her buttons. I jokingly reply, “You don’t have buttons. You have switches
and they are easier to flip.” That usually changes perception enough to diffuse the situation.
To change a volatile situation with someone, requires a change in your response. Instead of reacting like
you have been put down or insulted, for example, act like it was a compliment. If they say, “It wasn’t meant
as a compliment,” you can respond, “I’m sorry, but I took it as a compliment and ain’t nothin’ you can do
about it!” It may not happen overnight, but a simple change in perception of who you really are will
eventually better the situation.
If my wife or I criticizes the other, the response will sometimes be, “I know you are, but what am I?”
Eventually, the antagonist gives up and a normal discussion can ensue.
Yahshua said, “Take no anxious thought what you shall say when you are accused, because the spirit of
the Father will give you the words to say.” Your responsibility is to tune in to the kingdom of heaven.
And where is the kingdom of heaven?
It is within.
How do you find and tune in to the kingdom of heaven?
It is important to still your active mind. It is essential to let the anxious thoughts go. You can give your
anxious thoughts over to Yahshua or to The Father, knowing they will handle the problem before you get
there, or guide you what to do or say at the time.
Once you still the mind and allow neutral thoughts to effortlessly flow, you will soon receive inspiration on
a new perception of yourself or your situation.
My 45 minute commute to work every day with the radio off, provides me with my best time for meditation
and inspiration. That is how Yahweh led me to this topic this week for you. I usually begin with a question,
thoughts begin to flow, and before I get to work inspiration hits with the appropriate answer to the
question.
Are you ready to enter the kingdom of heaven to find a new perception?
Do you know how to find it?
Write and tell me the profound changes in your life as a result of a changed perception.
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