Repentance and Restoration

My greatest desire is to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus. A relationship that brings confidence, courage, and steadfast faith in times of sorrow and darkness and peaceful times. But I have followed my feelings and let the pride of self-reliance dictate my decisions. In anguish, I feel that I am separated from my Father.

I admit that my actions are responsible for the anguish and weakened faith that I possess. Yet, in the height of despair, the Holy Spirit directs me to a video short on Ezekial chapter 36. The God who loves promises to perform a spiritual surgical procedure on those who love Him but have messed up.

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekial 36:25-27 NKJV)

Our Father reminds us that although we have profaned His name through disobedient thoughts, words, and actions, our Restoration brings honor and glory to His Name. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: ‘I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.'” (Ezekial 36:22 NKJV)

When we have veered off the narrow Path of Righteousness, demonic forces of evil attempt to deceive and convince us that God is punitive in His justice, leaving us feeling dejected. The truth is our Heavenly Father, whose very nature is Love, never crushes us or removes our hope. If we humble ourselves and repent, we will receive a new heart that desires to love and serve Him. We would be the recipients of the removal of sin, transformation, and complete spiritual restoration.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your loving-kindness. We have sinned against You. Our humble prayer is that you accept our confession and restore to us the joy and peace in our hearts that we have lost. We ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And we will give You the glory and the honor that You deserve. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

In Agreement with God

It is a decision to surrender your will to God. And that decision has to be made daily.

We may awaken with a strong desire to surrender and obey, but there is a carnal nature in our flesh that renders us powerless to do what we know to do.

Even the Apostle Paul struggled, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (Romans 7:15).

We are not told the temptation that caused Paul to sin. Still, the emphasis is “what I hate, I do, and I do not understand.” Yes, we have the desire to do what is right, but when faced with a temptation, we try to overcome it without the help of the Holy Spirit. And the very sin that we hate, we fall into with regret.

Our struggle is real. Yet God says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

“Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.” (Psalm 37:24). With love, Jesus extends mercy and picks us up.

Jesus left us the example of how to stay in sync with God. Through prayer, He continuously surrendered His will to God. And it is with confidence that Jesus prayed, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4).

Prayer: God, we pray for the desire to do Your will. We ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and discernment of Satan’s traps so we may not fall into temptation. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Are you Teachable?

I can recall speaking to a co-worker who was a Human Resources Specialist in her previous life. I asked, “What is the most important consideration when interviewing applicants for the position?” And her answer really surprised me. She stated, “Are they teachable? Yes, their credentials matter, but we are looking for someone that we can mold to be highly effective in our business culture.

After reading the following Devotional this morning, self-reflection was necessary. Am I teachable?

An excerpt from the Devotional book—His Healing Love by D. Winn

God has many things to teach us–about Himself, His plans for us, His paths of blessing.  Since truth is the means God uses to draw us back to Him, our response to that truth becomes an extremely vital issue.  What is more, God intends to keep on telling us the wonders of His character, of the plan of salvation, and of the mysteries of nature, throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.  What better preparation for heaven than to become the kind of person right now who will eagerly be open to the Divine Teacher?


Furthermore, when God knows that it is time to work on the next “round” of character development, He will find the task either easy or difficult (or even impossible), depending on whether He finds us to be teachable.  Those who, like Isaiah, can say, “I was not rebellious,” will find growth into His likeness to be both rapid and accurate.


But teachableness is not something one simply chooses to wear, like a grin.  It isn’t a matter of one’s casually saying, “I think that today I shall become teachable.”  To be teachable means to trust the Teacher!  It means trusting that he will not lead us into a life of drudgery.  It means experimenting in our lives with what He has taught us, seeing that it is very good, and returning for more.  It means knowing Him! D. Winn

Prayer: God, we often do not understand the trials we must endure to become teachable. We ask You for the forgiveness of a stubborn heart. Our desire is to have a responsive spirit to Your Holy Word and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

While You Wait On God

Concepts you need to know while waiting on God’s answer to your prayers.

1. You don’t need what you don’t have for God to fulfill His purpose.

2. You don’t need what you used to have for God to fulfill His purpose.

3. You may experience a major life event that totally changes the direction of your life.

4. Don’t give up because you are counting the hours or the days since you prayed for God’s Divine intervention.

5. We do not have to beg God for His help or a miracle. He heard your prayers. Read Isaiah 65:24.

“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14)

Prayer: God, please help us to understand that its your way and your timing. Please give us strength to endure and persevere the times of testing in our lives. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.