Journey to Easter – 40-Day Creative Lent Devotional – Day 3: Repentance: Making the Decision, Following Through with Action

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decision

 

Day 3: Repentance: Make the Decision and Follow Through With Action

Opening Prayer

opening prayer

Heavenly Father, You know my heart fully. Show me if any parts of my life have been about pleasing myself instead of glorifying You. I want to truly repent by changing my thoughts and actions, not just feelings. Help me surrender completely to following Your ways this Lent. Guide me to see where turning from selfish choices means doing things differently. Give me strength to obey You through Jesus living in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture Reading and Reflection

make decision

Scripture: Acts 3:19 KJV

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Reflection:

This verse speaks powerfully to our theme of “Repentance: Making the Decision, Following Through with Action.” Repentance in Scripture denotes more than mere emotion—it involves an act of will. True repentance is a conscious, inward decision to turn from sin and wholly follow God. It means redirecting our core motivations and highest priorities away from self and toward Christ. Only by aligning our will with His can repentance take root and transform us. When Peter calls for repentance and conversion, he speaks of an initial resolve combined with ongoing renewal. Initial repentance comes through determining in will and mind to leave sin; but we prove its authenticity through faith actions that conform us daily to Christ. As we surrender fully and cooperate with the Spirit, old ways fade and His likeness grows within—God seeks followers whose lives consistently show the power of changing from sin through repentance. As we respond to His call by repenting of self, the Spirit transforms us inwardly and outwardly into His likeness. Old patterns fall away as we live daily under Christ’s lordship. God aims not just at feelings but a lasting orientation of will and life dedicated to obeying Him. When we genuinely repent through faith and follow through in renewed living, our sin is wiped away through grace. This verse illustrates how repentance means both an initial choice of will to turn, as well as ongoing decision-making and acting to walk in righteousness. May the Spirit prompt repentance as a continual decision to reshape our wills and ways to reflect His.

Hymn:

Lord, I Come Repenting

1. Lord, I come repenting; Self and sin I long have sought, Wicked works my life has wrought, Sins of speech and secret thought, Now I come repenting.

Refrain: Bowing low before thy throne, Trusting in thy blood alone, Own me, Saviour, as thine own, While I come repenting.

2. Lord, I come believing; Ev’ry promise humbly claim, Trust the one and only Name, Yesterday, today the same, Now I come believing. [Refrain]

3. Lord, I come obeying; Lo, I come to do thy will, And, through seeming good or ill, Follow in thy footsteps still: Now I come obeying. [Refrain]

Lyrics: Arthur T. Pierson, Music: Jno. R. Sweney

Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing

scripture writing   Write out Acts 3:19 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below. Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Scripture Writing Page

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Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling

bible journaling

Look up Acts 3:19 in your Bible. You may choose to: Highlight or circle “repent” and “converted” and doodle, draw or paint images related to these themes. Rewrite the verse in your journal along with reflections on its meaning. Use stickers or create illustrations yourself. Take time to consider how Peter’s message calls us to both repent and experience inward conversion. Ask God to reveal areas where you need further transformation from your will, thoughts and actions. Commit to cooperating openly with the Spirit’s working through repentance and ongoing obedience. Let this Bible journaling prompt encourage your walk with Christ through consciously turning from sin and being remade more like Him each day by grace through faith.

Creative Activities: 3. Doodling

doodling

  As you meditate on Acts 3:19, allow your doodles to reflect key elements of repentance and conversion mentioned in the verse: Repentance
  • Hearts – Draw hearts to symbolize an inward change of heart
  • Arrows – Arrows pointing upward toward God to picture turning away from sin
  • Tears – Tears expressing godly sorrow over sin
Conversion
  • Butterflies – Butterflies emerging from cocoons as a picture of transformation
  • Seedlings – Small plants representing new spiritual growth and fruitfulness
  • Doves – Doves are often used to depict the Holy Spirit; draw doves as you think of being filled with the Spirit
You could also doodle:
  • Open or turning pages – Signifying an openness to change
  • Rising suns – The dawn of a new day in Christ
  • Footprints – Steps walking in a new direction with God
Allow your drawings to enhance your reflection on what full repentance and true conversion look and feel like. Let your doodles serve as a creative expression of pondering this important biblical theme. Have fun doodling! Please download the Doodle Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Doodle Printable

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Creative Activities: 4. Journaling

journaling

 

Reflect and Journal:

  • How is the Spirit stirring your heart through this verse? What personal insight or application is He bringing to mind?
  • What is one area of needed repentance that God may be revealing to you through reflecting on this passage? How can you commit to walking in the light of this today?
Please download the Journal Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Journal Printable

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Applying and Taking Action

applying and taking action

  Prayerfully consider one small, specific way you can apply Acts 3:19 in the coming days:
  • Change a habitual thought pattern or action
  • Repent from a past sin or wrong
  • Spend more quiet time listening to God’s call
  • Memorize this verse to encourage repentance
  • Journal daily areas God highlights for growth
Having identified one application, schedule time this week to follow through. Note your experience and any insight gained to remember God’s faithfulness. Repentance leads to ongoing conversion as we daily surrender more areas of self-will. Persevering in even simple acts of obedience strengthens us to walk in His light.

Closing Prayer

closing prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling each of us to true repentance that opens the way for spiritual renewal. Give me an open and contrite heart to continually embrace Your leading. Help me to obediently apply what You have shown me through reflecting on Acts 3:19, and to walk more closely with You on a daily basis. May my life honor You as I follow Jesus through faithful obedience. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

If you have been blessed by this Creative Lent Devotional, please share it with others. Many thanks. God bless you!

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