If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
—2 Chronicles 7:14
When I am headed in the wrong direction, I thank God for the ability to turn around and go in the right direction. That is actually what true repentance is. It is not just a feeling of being sorry, but also a decision to turn and go in the right direction from now on.
We get into trouble through making a series of wrong decisions, and with God’s help, we will get our lives straightened out by a series of right decisions. It took more than a day to get into trouble, and it will take more than a day to get out.
Anyone who is ready and willing to make a real investment of time and right choices can see his or her life turn around for the better. God’s mercy is new every day. He is waiting to give you mercy, grace, favor, and help; all you have to do is be thankful for that mercy and say “yes” to whatever God is asking of you.
Prayer of Thanks: Thank You, Father, for the new starts You provide in my life. Help me realize when I do wrong, then help me repent and begin again. I am so grateful for Your mercies that are new every morning in my life.
Man Proposes, God Disposes
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”
Luke 17:28–30
Walter Knight recounted the story of an old Scottish woman who made her living by going from house to house across the countryside selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings. It was her custom that, when she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into the air and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed. One day a farmer standing nearby saw her throw a stick in the air numerous times. “Why do you toss the stick more than once?” he asked. “Because,” replied the woman, “it keeps pointing to the left, and I want to take the road on the right.” She kept throwing the stick into the air until it pointed the way she wanted to go!
Many times we are tempted to ignore what God has directed because it conflicts with our plans and desires. James issued this warning to those who make their plans for the future without considering God. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:14–15). Submission to God’s will is not demonstrated by saying, “Lord willing” at the end of every sentence, but by submitting our plans to His revealed will. Though the Bible does not specifically address every situation we will face, it does give principles we must follow if we want to do God’s will.
Luke 17:28–30
Walter Knight recounted the story of an old Scottish woman who made her living by going from house to house across the countryside selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings. It was her custom that, when she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into the air and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed. One day a farmer standing nearby saw her throw a stick in the air numerous times. “Why do you toss the stick more than once?” he asked. “Because,” replied the woman, “it keeps pointing to the left, and I want to take the road on the right.” She kept throwing the stick into the air until it pointed the way she wanted to go!
Many times we are tempted to ignore what God has directed because it conflicts with our plans and desires. James issued this warning to those who make their plans for the future without considering God. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:14–15). Submission to God’s will is not demonstrated by saying, “Lord willing” at the end of every sentence, but by submitting our plans to His revealed will. Though the Bible does not specifically address every situation we will face, it does give principles we must follow if we want to do God’s will.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Trusting God’s will for the future is evidenced when we obey His Word and base our decisions on it.
The Gift of Repentance
by Joyce Meyer - posted July 30, 2016If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
—2 Chronicles 7:14
When I am headed in the wrong direction, I thank God for the ability to turn around and go in the right direction. That is actually what true repentance is. It is not just a feeling of being sorry, but also a decision to turn and go in the right direction from now on.
We get into trouble through making a series of wrong decisions, and with God’s help, we will get our lives straightened out by a series of right decisions. It took more than a day to get into trouble, and it will take more than a day to get out.
Anyone who is ready and willing to make a real investment of time and right choices can see his or her life turn around for the better. God’s mercy is new every day. He is waiting to give you mercy, grace, favor, and help; all you have to do is be thankful for that mercy and say “yes” to whatever God is asking of you.
Prayer of Thanks: Thank You, Father, for the new starts You provide in my life. Help me realize when I do wrong, then help me repent and begin again. I am so grateful for Your mercies that are new every morning in my life.
at home, the best way to maintain peace and harmony is to forgive, to forgive means we are not keeping record of wrongs =)
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