Join us for the October Gospels Challenge!
Join us this October for our Gospels Challenge as we walk thru the 4 Gospels together!
Read MoreWe offer a FREE reading schedule, devotional, and a variety of other resources to fully immerse yourself in the October Gospels Challenge! You can also listen through the Gospels on our Daily Walk Devotional Podcast.
Download these FREE resources here!
Here is a sneak peek of our FREE Devotional!
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:2
IN WORD “Repent” has been thrown around a lot, and usually in a way that feels more condemning than hopeful. If, upon hearing the call to repent, we were to ask why, we might get a response about avoiding sin and hell. While that response is certainly argu- able from Scripture, it isn’t the rationale Jesus gave His listeners. No, after telling them to repent, He followed up with a reason: because the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.
That’s a fuller, much more positive purpose than we might have heard before. Repen- tance—in Hebrew thought, to change one’s direction; in Greek thought, to change one’s thinking—is not primarily about avoiding something; it’s about entering something. It’s a plea to those who are walking away from God’s beautiful realm to turn around and walk into it. It’s not an oppressive command; it’s a welcoming invitation. It is God’s way of saying to those who are about to miss Him, “Come back! Come inside! Enjoy the won- ders of My realm.”
If that’s what biblical repentance is all about, who would pass it up? Who forgoes the adventure of a lifetime? Who gives up a front-row seat to history’s most thrilling events? Who wouldn’t want to enter into the throne room of ultimate power and sit at His feet? Who doesn’t want a new start, new eyes, new wisdom? Why would anyone disregard ac- cess to the supernatural Kingdom? Only those who don’t recognize what’s at stake. Only those who think their way is the right one and no turning around is needed.
IN DEED History is full of such tragic mistakes, but we have a daily opportunity to align ourselves with truth, beauty, love, and goodness. We are zealous about repenting— changing thoughts, feelings, words, and actions—in order to see more, do more, and live more fully. The word “repent” may be laden with extra baggage, but the decision is re- markably free of it. Stepping further into the Kingdom experience is always a good thing.
Today’s Reading: Matthew 1-4
Join us this October for our Gospels Challenge as we walk thru the 4 Gospels together!
Read MoreOur new, FREE series called CONTAGIOUS: Parents Sharing God’s Word at Home, is a 5-session video course that helps parents learn how to share God’s Word with their kids.
Read MoreChosen looks at four key themes in Mary’s life and applies them to our lives now. Download a free sample of the Chosen Workbook today!
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