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Developing a Repentant Heart

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Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 3:19

Repent means to change one’s life from the worldly to the Godly direction. When we Christians sin, we repent. This means we have Godly sorrow and pray for the Lord’s power to change our sinful behavior to Godly behavior. A repentant heart causes us to recognize our sinful state and to pray whenever we fall short of God’s expectations. We live in sinful flesh and it’s only through Christ and with the help of the Holy Spirit that we can stand before God, the Father. A repentant heart is one which is always seeking to follow the ways of God. Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?. (Romans 2:4)

We cannot follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance perfectly, and yet our repentant hearts pray that we draw closer to the Lord and continue to walk in his ways more every day. A repentant heart can be the driving attitude which promotes spiritual growth, a continued desire for a closer relationship with the Lord. A repentant heart keeps our minds focused on God, enabling us to pursue Godly decisions.

How do we develop a repentant heart? A heart which desperately seeks to follow the Spirit and be pleasing to God? A repentant heart is a heart for God. It is a heart which God has changed through ministering to the world, guided by the Holy Spirit. When our heart identifies with God’s heart it draws us closer to Him, our church family, the Bible, and to prayer. We develop a dependence on God which results in a changed heart. Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8)

Our repentant hearts change us to trust and obey our Lord. And as a result He brings us peace and comfort. We turn things in our lives over to the Lord and walk as His servants. God promises to give us whatever we need in order to endure, as He walks with us and before us. When we make decisions independent of God, we have no promise of His help and guidance. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews11:6)

Christians quickly learn that sin hampers our ministry. But victory over sin gives us a burning heart to minister to a lost world. A repentant heart makes us powerful, spiritual warriors with victory in Christ. Through it we are continually moving closer to the Lord and His power and strength.

Today, recognize a repentant heart as a driving force in making Godly decisions. It is a heart which is driven to serve the Lord and guided by the Spirit. Refuse to be defeated by Satan but choose to live in victory through Christ.

Prayer: Lord, give me a repentant heart. Give me a heart that is always changing to serve You. Motivate my heart to always seek Your ways and to hear Your guidance through the Holy Spirit. Forgive me when I go in the wrong direction and turn me back to Your direction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.