Today's Verse: Matthew 3:1-2

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

In those days John the Baptist came ... saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
— Matthew 3:1-2
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

John's words sound strange in a world afraid to tell the truth about sin, wickedness, and evil. Yet all lost people - people who do not know Jesus and those who claim to follow him but don't obey him - we all desperately need to repent. That means changing our hearts and lives, seeking after God, and turning our behaviors around to live for Jesus as Lord. We choose to follow and obey him, not our wants. Yes, salvation is given to us by God's incredible grace. On the other hand, grace that leaves us unchanged is not true grace. Grace not only forgives us through Jesus' sacrificial death on the Cross and our faith in him but also liberates us from the empty and destructive life without God, his guidance, and our purpose.

My Prayer...

Forgive me, dear Heavenly Father, for my sin. I turn my heart back to you and commit to live my life according to your will and for your glory, not my own and certainly not the ways of this fallen, broken, and lost world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

At the Door
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the..."
Pointing the way.
Illustration of Matthew 3:2
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 3:2 -- [In those days John the Baptist came...] saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
In the Footsteps of Jesus
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
Jesus said this was the right thing for him to do! James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of an important reason to be baptized: not only was Jesus baptized, he also said it was the right thing to do and called on all his disciples to be baptized and baptizers.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 3:1-2 — In those days John the Baptist came ... saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, March 2, 2016

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
''You Will Do the Same in Rome!''
"Dear Follower, Roman soldiers saved Paul from being beaten to death by an angry Jewish mob. The mob had mistakenly thought he had taken a Gentile..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'To Mark the Seasons' (Ps. 104:1,)
"Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! ... You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun knows when to set. You send..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Destroys the Proud and Protects Widows'
"The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of....."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse