Turning away from sin, the world, and your own ways TO God through Jesus Christ in sincerity — positions you to become all that God originally ordained for you to be and to have all that He originally had stored up for you.
The Lord is inviting you to change your mind, change your life, and start anew today! The best part is that it’s free and you don’t have to do it alone 🙌🏾
Watch today's video to learn more about what it means to repent and change your mind!
Love you bunches 💞
Scriptures Mentioned & Referenced
Romans 12:2
Ephesians 2:8-10
Ephesians 4:1-3
John 3:16
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 8:30-31
Video Notes
Repentance is a decision & a commitment, not a feeling.
The commitment of repentance happens in an instant. You confess your sins and confess belief in Jesus and the finished work of the Cross — that Jesus is God’s Son and that He died and rose again for your sins to be forgiven.
Overall, repentance includes a commitment to doing things God’s way, usually before you even know what God’s ways are, and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide your life to the good, the pleasing, and the perfect will of God.
Then, the transformation begins & the transformation takes time.
Repentance Puts You In Position
True repentance positions you to become all that God originally ordained for you to be and to have all that He originally had stored up for you
Our repentance must result from a true desire to follow and serve God through surrendering to Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit.
Once you have sincerely turned back to God by accepting and making a commitment to follow Jesus, you should know that you are in right standing with God and are in position to receive the promises of God, carry out the plans of God, and live out the calling He has on your life.
Note: the right standing happens immediately, but again, coming into the promises, plans, and calling will be a journey.
Repentance Opens the Door for Grace
The power of repentance is that once you turn to God through accepting His Son, Jesus, grace is made available to you.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Our faith was the only qualifier.
If your good works couldn’t qualify you, then neither could your dead works disqualify you for this free gift made available to all.
Know that with assurance!
& now that you’ve received this free gift, walk in it. Don’t go on living like you’re still a slave to sin or the world. Don’t go on living as if you’re disqualified. Walk worthy of the call of God on your life, “for you have been called by God.”
A Call to Repentance
Humanity as a whole was in line to receive God’s judgment and wrath. Sin had separated us from Him, but God in His graciousness made a way for us to be reconciled back to Him by sending Jesus Christ to die on the Cross for us, taking on the curse for all of our sins, past, present, and future. Then, He rose again on the third day, taking victory over death, hell, and the grave.
He did all of that for us to be able to be made right with God again.
The only “price” we must pay to receive this free gift is our faith.
Romans 10:9-10 says that, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”
The Prayer of Salvation (Read it aloud)
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins
And for rising again on the third day.
I confess that I am a sinner and that I need you in my life.
I repent today and make a commitment to follow you.
I accept you as my Savior.
And I declare today that You are Lord of my life
Take me over and make me over.
My life belongs to you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
As my spiritual leader would say, “Welcome or welcome back to the family of God” 💞
I am rejoicing for you and I’d like to believe that heaven is, too!
The Power of Repentance
Romans 8:30-21 👉🏾 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
The power of repentance is that this is now your reality. Walk in it, sis 🙏🏾
Happy Wellness Wednesday, Garden Fam 🌸
What’s on your menu this week? Hopefully you’ve been cooking up the good stuff! 😋
This week, I’m keeping it light and sharing a few of my favorite recipes. Most of them are healthy or at least healthier. Unfortunately, when many people think of healthy eating, they immediately imagine it to be boring, bland, or strict, but honestly, my journey to healthier eating has actually caused me to get a bit more creative. I’m a foodie, so if I had my way, every meal would be a delectable, tasty masterpiece (lol). With me wanting to eat as healthy as possible, cook and eat in a timely manner, and actually enjoy my food, I’ve tried more new foods, ingredients, and recipes than I probably ever would have otherwise.
I’ve especially enjoyed finding new (tasty) ways to incorporate more veggies into my meals. Vegetables don’t always have to be eaten as a separate side. They can be incorporated into your main entrée, added to a sandwich for lunch, blended into a sauce or smoothie, mixed in with your meat (if you’re a meat eater)... the possibilities are endless. Adding in extra veggies and switching out ingredients for healthier or more purposeful ones are ways to make small changes while still eating scrum-diddly-umptious food!
Long story long, eating healthy doesn’t have to be (and in my opinion shouldn’t be) boring, especially if it’s something you want to become a lifestyle. Check out a few of my favorite recipes. Some of them are basic ones everyone has heard of or made at some point, and others are a bit more creative or “out there.”
If you try any of them, feel free to share a photo and let me know what you thought!
Don’t worry, I got these online, so if you don’t enjoy it, it won’t hurt my feelings! Lol
Happy eating!
Have a healthy & wholesome week,
Love you bunches 💞
Baked Feta Pasta
This is one of my favorites, especially on a busy evening. You throw everything except the noodles into a baking pan and have a bomb meal within just a few minutes. For my vegan / dairy-free sistas, Trader Joe's sells a dairy-free feta cheese block that I love to use for this recipe!
Greek Salad
This one is quick, easy, and great for meal prep. Not only does it combine lots of veggies and other nutritious ingredients in a tasty way, but also, the vinegar helps it to last well in the fridge until you can finish it all.Of course, you can add in or remove ingredients as you see fit. I normally leave the olives out and use vegan feta.
Veggie Sandwich
This one is one of my favorite quick, filling meals, especially when I need to boost my veggie intake. Sooo tasty & refreshing! I usually add ingredients based on what I have a taste for in the moment, but I almost always include vegan mayo, stoneground or dijon mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, and vinegar. The rest depends on what I'm craving and what I have in the fridge.
Definitely feel free to get creative with this one. You don't really need a recipe, but watch the video for inspiration if needed!
Spicy Shrimp Quesadillas with Black Beans and Corn
I've only made these once or twice, but mannnnn, these jaunts were 🔥
I don't even have much to say except to try these ASAP. You won't be disappointed (unless you don't like spicy food).
I usually use Daiya pepper jack dairy-free cheese.
Overnight Oats
This was one I decided to give a try randomly one day, mainly because it doesn't require cooking and can be prepped to just grab and go in the morning. Now, I know what you're probably thinking, because I thought the same thing: "So I eat it cold?!"
Well, yes, but don't knock it until you try it! Depending on the oats you use, it will likely taste like pudding or something similar.
Like I mentioned with some of the other recipes, you can definitely customize this one to fit your tastebuds and nutritional needs. Like, for me, I'm not a fan of fruit in my oatmeal (or any other dish really), so I usually leave that out or have it on the side. Give overnight oats a try before you give up on it. You just might like it, and if so, you'll love the convenience!
What is your faith anchored in, sis?
Often times, we try to increase our faith by trying harder to believe in the possibility of what God said coming to pass, but really, when we’re lacking in or simply need to increase our faith, we actually need a deeper revelation of who God is and what He has already said is available to up through faith in Jesus.
“Faith looks to the One who promises; hope looks to the things promised.” — Bible Commentary
Our faith needs to be anchored in God in order for us to have hope in what He said will happen.
First things to ask yourself:
Do you believe God is good? Do you genuinely believe His intentions towards you are good and that He has good things for you? Do you genuinely believe He wants the best for you?
If you don’t, you should! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that’s for you, sis! Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. As such, you can be assured that God’s intentions towards you are for GOOD!
From there, continue to seek God and ask Him for more wisdom and understanding of who He is so that your faith can be [even more] firmly rooted in Him. Watch today’s video and check out the scriptures below to strengthen your faith journey. I have also listed some passages you can start with as you seek a deeper revelation of who God is and His plans towards His children. Of course, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to whatever scriptures are most relevant for you in this season of your life.
Love you bunches,
Have a healthy & wholesome weekend! 💞
Today’s Scriptures
Anchor Scriptures
Hebrews 11:1, 6
Hebrews 10:23
Isaiah 55:10-11
Jeremiah 29:11
Matthew 7:11
Passages to Study for Deeper Understanding
Matthew (or the other Gospels) → Who Jesus is + the character and nature of God
Romans → Everything accomplished and made available to you through salvation
Hebrews → What faith looks like and its implications in this like and the next
2 Corinthians → How faith and the Holy Spirit work in us to accomplish the good things God planned for us long ago