The Joy of Repentance
Today’s Bible Verses:
Luke 15:7 ESV
(Jesus said) “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
When we take the time to repent of our sinfulness and failures before God, a broad smile should come on our faces. We have confidence that our prayers ascend on high through the Holy Spirit, that Jesus intercedes on our behalf, and that God hears our prayers and answers them. So when we repent of our sins, God gives us His answer—He forgives us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us today that there is joy in the corridors of heaven when sinners repent. When we recognize our sins and acknowledge that we were wrong, God showers us with forgiveness through His grace. May this joy abound in our lives today!
PRAYERS
Keep in Your Prayers:
All people battling cancer.
Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
A Prayer for Today:
I start my week, heavenly Father, with the hope that the joy of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead lives throughout my life. Give me the courage to expound to others the goodness that comes through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Photo by Archee Lal on Unsplash