Tag: repent
Fruit of repentance!
Scripture reading for March 18th: Luke 3:1-22, Psalms 61:1-8, Proverbs 11:16-17
John the Baptist was a preacher who spoke plainly to those he was sent to prepare for the coming of the Lord. He knew that repentance was more than just a prayer or being immersed in water. There must be a change inside of the heart that was reflected in how one lived. He especially tried to reach those who were caught in the trap of religion.
“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”” (Luke 3:7-9) John called them a ‘brood of vipers’. Vipers were poisonous snakes that bit the children of Israel in the desert as they wandered there and complained. Poisonous snakes were associated with evil and the evil one, Satan.
John further warned them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance and not trust in the fact that Abraham was their father. The Jews had come to simply rely on the promises of God to Abraham and assumed because they had his blood in their veins, God would bless them. They asked John what they should do to bring this fruit of repentance out of their lives. They seemed clueless to this command.
John gave them some examples. If one had two coats, he should share with someone who had none. If one had food, they should share with one who had no food. If they happened to be a tax collector, notorious for taking lots of extra fees for themselves, they should only collect what was required. To those who were soldiers, John instructed them not to extort money or accuse people falsely to get more for themselves. They should be content with their pay. (Luke 3:10-14)
Real repentance is immediate change from breaking God’s laws to simple obedience. It is showing love, rather than selfish indulgence. It is centered on doing God’s will instead of my will. Examine your life–do you have the fruit of repentance?
Multiplying ministry
Scripture reading for February 22nd: Mark 6:1-29, Psalms 39:1-13, Proverbs 10:10
“Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” (Mark 6:6b-7)
Jesus had a plan to take the Gospel of the kingdom to the entire world. He was not in a hurry, but had only a limited time to set this plan in place. After preaching in His home town and seeing few results, He called the Twelve together and organized them into evangelism teams. He knew that two would be more effective than one in this work. Two people have power in prayer and can encourage one another. Two people provide some protection and friendship when hostility arises. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) This work that they would be engaged in was like warfare against the kingdom of Satan. Jesus gave them authority over these powers of darkness and had demonstrated how to cast them out.
Jesus sent them out two by two and told them to take nothing with them for provision except their staff. This staff represented some protection but also the authority that He had given them. They were to rely on finding people who would welcome them. If no one welcomed them, they were to shake the dust from their feet as a witness against that town. God would provide for them on their mission.(Mark 6:8-11)
“They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” (Mark 6:12-13)
The message that these disciples took was a call to repentance. They did not tell people how much their lives would be improved by the kingdom. They did not list benefits and try to sell a product. They called for repentance, a change of mind and actions, from selfishness to humble confession and faith. As they went, they used the authority given them by Jesus to deliver those bound by evil spirits and heal sick people. The simply did what Jesus had taught them to do and God worked with them! Jesus now had multiplied ministry through these men. They would in turn raise up more who would follow Jesus and do the same things! This Jesus’ amazing plan to reach the world and it is still working today! Have you joined His team?
The Apple of His Eye!
Scripture reading for September 28th: Zechariah 1-2
God considers those who belong to Him by faith to be the apple of His eye. Sin had caused the scattering of Israel to Babylon for seventy years, but God had earlier promised a restoration. (Jeremiah 25:12) He would shake the nations and cause His people to return again. The seventy years captivity was a result of God’s word overtaking the people. When people violate God’s commands, the promises of judgment will surely come true. If they would obey God, then promises of blessing and protection would surely overtake them, for God watches over His word to perform it! (Jeremiah 1:12)
God promised to rebuild Jerusalem and restore the people to their land. (Zechariah 1:16-17) The rebuilding of the city would be unusual. It was to be a city without walls because of the large number of people and animals! God, Himself, would be a wall of fire around the city assuring its protection. God would also be the glory within the city. (Zechariah 2:4-5) Jerusalem would be the dwelling place of God!
God’s people were to flee from Babylon and return to Jerusalem. God was going to punish the nations that had plundered them. They were among the most powerful on the earth, but all would know that the Lord was God when He avenged His people! (Zechariah 2:6-9)
“”Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion, for I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become My people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.”” (Zechariah 2:10-11)
The prophet declared that the Lord, Himself, was coming to live among them in Jerusalem. There would be great joy when this happened and many nations would be joined to the Lord in that day and become His people. This is a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ coming to live with His people. His life and ministry caused a great stir and much joy for those who believed in Him. He lived among His people and they beheld His glory! (John 1:14) His coming brought light to the Gentiles and many nations were drawn to Him. (Matthew 4:12-17) His miracles and teaching confirmed that He was the Messiah, sent from God! We are truly the “apple of His eye”!