“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 Psalm 51 is such a beautiful picture of repentance. Although he had tried to hide what he had done earlier, now as conviction fills his heart, David confesses…
“There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children.…
“Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.” 2 Kings 23:25 Josiah was eight years old when he became king and…
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 This week we are looking at the Beatitudes and considering how we can apply them to our lives in a way that brings us to the place where the Lord calls us blessed. Over the last months, a…
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you”…
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12, ESV). Recent news events have bumped up against our Christian values in a disturbing way. More and more we realize truths we hold dear are being destroyed by an unrighteous society. It troubles our spirit and causes…
“…. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth” Luke 3:4-5
John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40. There were mountains of pride and valleys of despair that needed to be broken down before Jesus could come. Many listened to his message. Those who did not respond, did not recognize Jesus when He came. But those who saw a need for change, discovered in Jesus what they needed.
John told them they needed to repent for the Kingdom of God was at hand. Repentance is still the first step to be taken today if people desire a change in their life. Many want the blessings of God, but do not want to change their lifestyle. When we truly repent, turn our hearts toward God, He can work in our lives, smoothing out the rough places, and setting us on the straight and narrow way that leads to life. The blessings His Holy Spirit bring into our lives are so far greater than anything that He has removed.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus, for the change you have made in our lives, removing the curse of sin, and giving us your Spirit.
Devotion by: Anne Johnston