Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Matthew 3:2, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Background

Bertha Smith was a Baptist missionary to China and Taiwan and one of the leaders God used to fan the flames of revival in China in 1927. During an intense time of political unrest the missionaries were gathered together for prayer when the Holy Spirit stopped Smith. Within her heart she was harboring unconfessed sin toward another missionary in the room. Smith immediately confessed her sin to the other missionary and the prayer meeting continued. Heaven descended on the meeting, more hearts were broken and sins were confessed. The result is what scholars call the Great Shantung Revival of 1927.

Application

Awakenings start with repentant hearts. Therefore, it must begin with me. Not someone else – but me. It’s time I understood the verse for today more clearly. It’s not the church in America that needs to repent – it is me. The earth is groaning; the Kingdom is at hand. What then shall we do? Repent!

Charge

As you seek Him today, ask the Father to give you a broken heart over your sin.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words