Seize the Moment – Day 938
The Four Steps of Repentance!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, October 11.
To repent is to turn away from sin by turning back to God. It’s a change of mind! Just like when making a U-turn on the street, repenting in life requires both intentional deliberation and conscientious effort. It is a decision you make and an action you take! In 2 Chronicles 7:12-14, God was responding to Solomon’s dedicatory prayer with both a reaffirmation of the covenant and the provision for how His people could return to Him when they broke it:
I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God would not be surprised by His people’s violation of His covenant. He provided a way of escape for them through the following four steps of repentance:
- Humble yourself (James 4:6-10).
- Pray to God (Matthew 6:9-13).
- Seek God’s face (John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14-15).
- Turn from your wicked ways (Luke 3:8; Acts 3:19).
God assures His people in verse 14, “then I will hear from heaven, will forgive [your] sins and will heal [your] land.” This is still God’s desire for His people, according to 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.