Tuesday August 01st, 2023
Meditate on: 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
« If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. »
Read: Matthew 3:5-12 GNT
5 People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judea, and from all over the country near the Jordan River.
6 They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan.
7 When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, “You snakes—who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send?
8 Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.
9 And don’t think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!
10 The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.
11 I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.
12 He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”
Understand
Many years ago, during a retreat at the Redemption Camp of the RCCG, a preacher said: “When God sends down spiritual revival, even the most pious of men would repent!”
A person seeking repentance may not necessarily have left the faith; such a one may just have stopped doing the good things he/she used to, which according to the Bible is tantamount to sin. No wonder James 4:17 BSB says:
« Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin. »
So, why is this the time to change and what exactly are you supposed to change?
To start with, eternity can begin at any time for anyone of us.
Hebrews 9:27 says each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. Therefore, choosing to wait until tomorrow may be too dangerous.
Also, God wants you to change from being cold or lukewarm.
He wants you to become committed to doing His will.
The whole body of Christ needs a revival – whether you are a member, worker or even a pastor.
We have to return to our first love, and doing the deeds of righteousness: fasting, praying, in depth study of God’s word, regular fellowship with the brethren, sacrificial giving, faithful tithing and others.
Then, God will send His fire to our lives.
Can you recall our memory verse? If we will be refreshed, we must surrender ourselves to God and commit to working on our shortcomings in evangelism, missions and separation from the world.
In today’s Bible reading, John confronted the religious leaders of his time with a message of change so they could enjoy the New Testament’s spiritual blessings.
Beloved don’t get so familiar with God’s word that you stop doing the essentials of the faith.
We must preach the gospel of Christ to everyone, so that as we have change, sinners, backsliders, and persecutors can do the same.
Application Using the Bible as a mirror, check to see where you have fallen short of God’s expectations and begin to effect a change.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Become His BFF Become a super human Morning affirmations
Prayer for self Prayer for Children
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