Posts Tagged ‘ Repent ’

Advent 2022 – Day 9: Isaiah 40:3-4

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

Isaiah 40:3-4, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

The sin we all commit and have committed have left rocks in our path that we trip over, created potholes that we stumble in, and knocked down debris that block our way and push us to different paths.

The Prophets of old worked to prepare people for God.

John was born to begin preparing hearts for the coming Messiah, claiming he was the fulfillment of this passage. (Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 3:1-5)

The Baptizer called us to repent, to change our thinking and actions, to prepare for our Savior.

We still struggle to be clean and clear, to obey and love.

Yet, God came to us, He comforts our souls and does the initial work of removing those rocks, filling the potholes, and moving debris from our way.

We can prepare ourselves by seeking our Creator and Savior who is capable of leveling out our lives, knowing that only in Him is it completely possible.

We will still stumble and deal with consequences for our sins, but the way is made easier in Christ.

May we seek the Lord who helps us, preparing ourselves by seeking His path.

Advent 2022 – Day 8: Isaiah 40:1-2

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:1-2, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

The pain those sins have caused have made this world and much of our lives dark and burdensome.

We have hurt ourselves and each other as we have ignored and run from God.

We have caused so much pain and grief to ourselves and each other as we acted selfishly and without regard for others.

Yet, God offers us comfort for our souls if we merely turn to Him, seeking His goodwill and grace.

We can prepare ourselves by beginning to look at our own wickedness and need for forgiveness.

We can prepare ourselves by seeking our Creator and Savior who is capable of removing our burdens and sins.

May we seek the Lord who offers His comfort, preparing ourselves by seeking His truth.

VerseD: John 5:24

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:24, ESV

We like to think we are basically good, but we have inherent sin that separates us from God and has us under His judgment.

If we believe the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as our only means of salvation, then we are saved.

VerseD: 1 Samuel 2:2

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2, ESV

We must get over ourselves and this world. We are not in control nor able to save ourselves.

There is one God, our sovereign King, Creator, and Savior.

VerseD: Romans 10:9

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9, ESV

We are rebellious and even speak against God, but we can also be saved by believing in and confessing the life, atoning death, and resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and God.

VerseD: Colossians 3:13

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:13, ESV

We can accept the repentance of others, but sometimes we might be waiting when we should be the one to Repent.

Let us be quick to forgive, knowing God has forgiven us, even for things we may not be aware we are guilty of doing. Likewise, others may not be aware of the pain they cause.

VerseD: 1 Corinthians 16:13

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV

We can be childish in our reactions to problems and our own sinfulness. Instead, we should take responsibility for our own sin and trust God to handle our forgiveness and problems we face, eing ready to stand for and proclaim truth.

VerseD: Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3, ESV

Our inclination is to help ourselves or to help others to feel good about ourselves, but the Holy Spirit changes our thinking and inclinations to care more for others for God’s glory.

VerseD: 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:9, ESV

We either complain that God is not doing enough to stop evil or is too mean to those who choose not to believe Him.

Yet we see God’s grace in waiting to end this world for the sake of those who will yet believe before He finally returns to punish all wickedness.

VerseD: Acts 2:38

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38, ESV

When we repent and believe in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit, and He helps us glorify Christ by loving others and sharing the good news of Christ.