Daily Devotional - April 21, 2021

🧡 Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "Holy Water" by We The Kingdom. Why not try asking alexa, siri, or google to play it for you?!

❤ Daily Verse: Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
☆ Acts of the Apostles 2:38 NLT

💙 Let's Talk About It: Repentance is the first response to God's effectual call. It comes from the Hebrew "to turn or return" (Isaiah. 55:7).

In the New Testament it comes from the Greek term "metanoia" meaning change of mind and is used in today's verse. It is a gift from God (Acts 11:18). It leads us to a knowledge of truth as suggested by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:25.

Repentance is our first act in humbling ourselves before God. Holding ourselves accountable for our sins is kind of like an addict admitting they have a problem. Without the admittance that we need Jesus as a Savior, we could not be saved. It is our first step forward on the narrow path, and one in which we all must choose to take daily if we wish to stay on that narrow road.

Some people believe repentance to be a one and done thing, but the truth is, it is a continual renewal to confess our sins to God and again, a gift from God. Thankfully, freedom from guilt and shame accompany this step as well, praise God!

💚 Prayer: Thank You God for repentance. I thank You for a clean slate each and every day. Thank You for Your sovereignty and mercy. Help me to quickly repent when I sin so I do not carry any bitterness, anger, shame guilt, apathy, or any other negative ideologies or feelings around with me. Holy Spirit, You are welcome to correct and convict me and I am thankful that You do so gently. Thank You Jesus for the blood and Your precious sacrifice. Help me to see people as You see them and love them as You love them. I love you Father and give You all the praise. In Jesus mighty name I pray amen.