Dear child of God,
Welcome to day 1 of our 7 Day Challenge to reconnect with God.
Today, we'll touch on Repentance.
Mini Teaching:
When it comes to your relationship with God, what moves the heart of God is repentance and faith.
Why repentance? Because it proves to God that you are willing to change your ways and give Him rule, reign and dominion over your life.
When we look at the story of the Israelites, one thing that stopped them from entering their promise land was complaining and idolatry but most importantly, they never truly repented for what they did.
They kept doing the same thing; over and over again.
💙 True repentance means to turn away from your sin. To have a change in heart and in character.
💙 True repentance means realizing that you have been doing life the wrong way and turning to God to lead you to the right path.
💙 True repentance shows your humility to admit your mistakes and asking God for forgiveness.
💙 True repentance is conviction and not manipulation.
Crying without real conviction is like trying to manipulate God into forgiving you. I am not saying crying is wrong, but make sure your tears are from a place of genuine realization of your sins and you wanting to really change.
God wants your heart above all things. He wants to do a heart transformation first with you before any behavioral transformation. That is why He asks you to come as you are first. He doesn't ask you to change or to clean yourself. He does the cleaning. He does the changing.
Because you cannot change unless you truly understand and love the God you want to serve.
Repentance should always be your first step because it realigns you to the will of God.
Bible verses to meditate on:
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is a sin.” - James 4:17
This verse reminds us that it’s not enough to know what is right and wrong. We must act on our knowledge and do what is good.
"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." - Proverbs 28:13
This verse reminds us that until we speak up about our sins, and forsake them (deny them, turn away from them), we will be in bondage but once we speak up, God is merciful to forgive us.
Journal prompts:
1. What are some sins you have been concealing from God?
2. What are those sins or temptations you keep going back to, yet you know they are detrimental to your walk with God?
Write them down and invite God into those dark secrets. Because what you expose, the enemy cannot use against you. Repent from them and ask God to help you overcome them. Practical Action to take:
Repentance is also a daily aspect of your Christian walk. Never think you don't sin; that will be pride. But be conscious of your every action. Now that you have received God's forgiveness, do not walk in self-condemnation. Receive God's righteousness and holiness. The enemy will try to tempt you again and remind you of your past, but declare the word of God over yourself. Remind the enemy you are no longer that old version but you have been renewed in Christ.
Assignment for the day:
- Find verses that speak on your identity/righteousness in God. After repentance, start declaring those verses over yourself. The old is gone and you are now new in Christ.
Let's pray.
Dear God,
I thank you for this day. Thank you for creating me and for making me in your image. Lord, I come before you today to repent for my sins (Name them). I repent for idolatry and putting other things above you. I repent for running away from you and choosing the world. I repent for becoming my own god in my life. I repent for disobeying you and thinking my ways were better than your ways.
Lord, I realize just how foolish I was and today I make the conscious choice to follow you again. God, help me to seek you more. Help me to love you more. Help me to become more like you. I realize I cannot do life without you and I make you my number one priority today.
Thank you Jesus for forgiving my sins. May your precious blood wash away my sins and make them disappear. I declare I am a new creation and my life belongs to Jesus. In Jesus mighty name I have prayed, amen"
PS: Spend some time in reflection today. Journal the prompts I have given and ask yourself why you keep going back to the same issues. Be as honest with God and talk to Him like a friend and the loving father He is. He will not reject you. He welcomes you.
I hope this blessed you.
Please feel free to reply to let me know if this blessed you or if you have any questions.
See you tomorrow for day 2
God bless you!
I love you, but God loves you more.
Your sister in Christ,
Sammy J
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