Daily Devotional - August 18, 2025
Good morning, Friends,
Matthew 3:1-2 -[1]Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, [2]“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
John the Baptist didn’t show up in a three-piece suit with politically correct words. He came rough, raw, and real, and his message was simple: Repent. Not, “say you’re sorry.” Not, “promise to do better.” Repent.
Here’s the difference: asking forgiveness is like telling God, “My bad, I messed up.” Repentance goes deeper—it’s a turning of the heart, mind, and direction. It’s when the Spirit of God flips the script in your soul, and you walk a whole new way. Forgiveness is like the judge stamping your record “cleared.” Repentance is like walking out of court and actually living different! It's proof that God’s the one changing you on the inside.
Think of it like this: If I keep apologizing for stealing, but I’m still sliding wallets out of pockets tomorrow, nothing’s really changed. Repentance means I not only confess the sin, I drop it, I turn from it, I hate it, because I see it the way God sees it. That’s not something we can pull off on our own. If it was left to us, we’d keep running the same old streets of sin. But repentance is a gift from God (2 Tim. 2:25). It’s Him breaking chains ⛓️ we couldn’t break ourselves.
And here’s the encouragement: When John says, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” he’s not saying it as a threat, he’s announcing hope. Christ is bringing freedom. Repentance isn’t just about leaving sin behind it’s actually about stepping into life, joy 🙌🏾, and peace that only God’s kingdom can give.
So let’s keep it a buck: If you’re stuck in cycles ♻️ of guilt and empty apologies, you don’t need better excuses, you need repentance. You need God to crack open your heart, to turn you around, to give you the strength to walk different. And He will. In Christ, chains don’t just loosen, they break homie.
Where are you just asking forgiveness but not truly repenting?🤔 What sins are you still entertaining instead of turning from? 🤔 Ask the Lord not only for forgiveness, but for power💥, the power to repent, to hate sin, to love righteousness, and to walk free.
You know what time ⏰ it is!
Need I say more?
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)
Amen 🙌🏾 And He’s coming quickly 🩷 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
ReplyDeleteAmen! 🙏🏾 Repent and turn away from sin
ReplyDeleteAmen
ReplyDeleteHalleluyah!! Jesus shedding His blood for me who don't deserve any of it!! Thank u Lord
ReplyDeleteAmen
ReplyDeleteHebrews 4:16 ESV
ReplyDelete[16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
[8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.