Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

Reading From Luke 1:1-20

 “He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

—Luke 1:16-17

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repent. Repentance is having a change of mind about sin and turning away from it to follow God. We prepare our own lives for the Holy Spirit to do the will of the Father in us and through us by asking Him to soften our hearts so that He can lead us with His kindness to repentance. Repentance is not a one time act; it is to be the humble lifestyle of every child of God.

Before we met the Lord Jesus by faith, we went about life in our own way. We must leave behind our old selves and become new creations in Christ Jesus by grace through faith in Him. Then we can move forward in faith and walk in humble repentance with Him in the newness of life only He can provide.

“Wonderful Jesus, soften my heart so that I will be flexible and sensitive to Your guidance. May I bend to Your perfect will in my life. Your goodness and mercy are so much better than the temporary pleasures of this world. Help me to have a right perspective on sin and righteousness. Empower me to resist temptation and walk with You, keeping in step with Your Spirit. It is out of deep love for You that I obey Your Word. In the Name of Jesus I pray these things, Amen.”

If my people, who are called by my name,will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. —II Chronicles 7:14