Journey to Easter – 40-Day Creative Lent Devotional – Day 1: Repent and Believe

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repent and believe

 

Day 1: Repent and Believe

Opening Prayer

opening prayer

Heavenly Father, as we begin this time of reflection on repentance and belief, soften our hearts and open our eyes to see our need for You. Bring to mind areas in our lives that require turning from sin. Help us embrace Jesus’ call to repentance so that we might draw near to You with faithful hearts. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

Scripture Reading and Reflection

scripture reading and reflection

Scripture: Mark 1:15 KJV

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Reflection:

In this verse from Mark’s gospel, Jesus begins His ministry by calling people to repent and believe. Notice that repenting comes first. Repenting means turning away from our sins and turning toward God. It involves a change of heart and mind. We must first acknowledge our need for God before we can put our faith in Him. We are all sinners who fall short of God’s perfect standard. As Romans 3:23 KJV states, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Our sin has separated us from Him, as Isaiah 59:2 KJV affirms: “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Without first acknowledging our sinful state through repentance, we cannot truly understand our need for salvation or appreciate God’s gracious gift of forgiveness. As Luke 13:3 KJV warns, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Believing without repenting amounts to false faith – it lacks humility and fails to grapple with who we are as sinful beings in need of redemption. Only when we come before God with a repentant heart, owning our sins and failures as David did in Psalm 51:17 KJV: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise,” can we then place our faith in Christ who paid the price for those sins, as Romans 5:8 KJV testifies: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In short, repentance must logically and theologically precede belief, as the call from Jesus in Mark 1:15 KJV makes clear: “and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” We cannot put our faith in God for salvation until we first turn away from our sin through repentance, admitted our helpless state, and embraced His offer of grace through Jesus.

Hymn:

Alas! My God! My Sins Are Great

1 Alas, my God, my sins are great,

My conscience must upbraid me;

And now I find that at my strait

No human pow’r can aid me.

 

2 Were I to flee in my despair

In some lone spot to hide me,

My grief would still be with me there

And peace still be denied me.

 

3 I must, O Lord, by you be sought;

Oh, pity and restore me.

Just God, make not your wrath my lot;

Your Son has suffered for me.

 

4 If pain and woe must follow sin,

Then be my path still rougher.

Here spare me not; if heav’n I win,

On earth I gladly suffer.

 

5 But curb my heart, forgive me still,

Oh, make my patience firmer;

For they ignore your kindly will

Who at your chast’nings murmur.

 

6 All that you do is for my best;

Your grace will help me bear it

If but at last I see your rest

And with my Savior share it.

Lyrics: Martin Rutilius, translated by Catherine Winkworth, Music: Ach Gott und Herr

Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing

scripture writing   Write out Mark 1:15 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

scripture writing imageDOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling

bible journaling

Look up Mark 1:15 in your Bible. You can then either: Highlight the verse “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel” in your Bible and embellish it with stickers or draw/paint your own images representing turning away from sin. Or: Write Mark 1:15 in your journal and journal your thoughts on what the verse means, drawing related images or using stickers. Take time to reflect specifically on Jesus’ call to “Repent and believe” and how you can apply that through repentance in your life.

Creative Activities: 3. Doodling

doodling

  Doodle images of repentance such as a heart with arrows turning toward God using the enclosed Doodle Printable. 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

doodle printableDOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 4. Journaling

journaling

  Write 1-2 paragraphs using the enclosed Journal Printable about an area you need to repent of and your commitment to turning toward God in that area through this Lenten season. 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

journal printableDOWNLOAD NOW

Applying and Taking Action

applying and taking action

  I pray your time reflecting on repentance and belief today has been fruitful. As our first devotional comes to a close, really consider how you can act upon what you have learned. Is there an unhealthy habit, unkind word, or indifferent attitude you sense God is calling you to turn from? Perhaps commit to spending extra moments each evening this week re-centering your heart and mind on Jesus through prayer or reading Scripture. You could also make a plan to repair a damaged relationship or have an important conversation that demonstrates changed behavior. Taking even small, initial steps of putting repentance into practice is important. Don’t be discouraged if you stumble – God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. He delights to show mercy when we turn back to Him. I encourage you to keep nurturing faith through repentance each day this Lenten season. Our loving Father wants to cultivate intimacy with us – may you experience His nearness as you pursue daily surrender to His refining work in your life. Go with His blessing!

Closing Prayer

closing prayer

Lord God, thank You for the gift of this day to draw close to You. Through Your Word, may we gain understanding of true repentance that prepares the way for belief in Your Son. By Your Spirit, empower us to turn from [name an area of repentance] and trust fully in Your grace and forgiveness. Guide us forward on this Lenten journey that points us to the cross. We pray in Jesus’ precious name, 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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