Today's Verse: Matthew 3:1-2

Tuesday, March 2, 2004

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 Tuesday, March 2, 2004

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'For the Honor of Your Name' (Ps. 31:1-3)
"O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by F. W.Faber:
"Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Ultimate Net' (Mt. 13:47-50)
"[Jesus continued teaching about the Kingdom:] "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Everlasting Harvest' (Ga. 6:8)
"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will..."

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