As soon as Jesus sent out His apostles, they made it a priority to emphasize repentance in their preaching (Mk 6:12). However, we don't hear this kind of emphasis on repentance today. If disciples of Jesus don't emphasize repentance, certainly the secular world and sinners will not! Notice how the Scriptures constantly focus on sincere and immediate repentance for our sins:
Repent with godly sorrow (2 Cor 7:11). Bring people to Confession. Throw a Confession party (Lk 15:22ff) and invite your friends to celebrate along with the angels and saints in heaven (Lk 15:7, 10, 32). "Be earnest about it, therefore. Repent!" (Rv 3:19)
| PRAYER: | Jesus, You died so that people would repent. May I place the same priority on repentance as You do. May I die to myself so that sinners would repent immediately (Sir 5:8) and return to You. |
| PROMISE: | "They expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures." –Mk 6:13 |
| PRAISE: | St. Blase refused to be involved with pagan worship and became a great witness by his martyrdom. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College