December 29th, 2025
by Steven Shaw
by Steven Shaw
Acts 3:19 (ESV)
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Romans 10:9–10 (ESV)
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Devotional: Turning Fully Toward God
If Day 1 begins with honesty before God, Day 2 moves us to a place of transformation. Once the light of truth exposes our hearts, we face a crossroads: we can either stay in our old direction or turn around completely. That turning — that repentance — is the pivot point of recovery. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. Repentance is turning from sin; faith is turning toward Christ. One without the other is incomplete. You cannot cling to the chains you’ve confessed and still walk in freedom. Confession opens the door, but repentance walks through it.
For many, repentance has been misunderstood as guilt or punishment. But in Scripture, repentance is not about punishment — it’s about restoration. God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). It’s His mercy that draws us home. Imagine driving the wrong way down a highway. You can admit you’re going the wrong direction, but unless you turn the car around, you’ll never reach safety. That’s the difference between confession and repentance. Confession says, “I’m going the wrong way.” Repentance says, “I’m turning around and going where You lead.”
Faith: The Anchor of Change
Faith is not a feeling; it’s a decision. Faith is choosing to believe that what God says is true, even when your emotions, circumstances, or history scream otherwise. In recovery, faith is the bridge between where you are and where God is calling you. Without it, you remain trapped in a cycle of regret and relapse. Faith doesn’t deny the pain — it gives it purpose. It doesn’t ignore the past — it redeems it. Romans 10:9–10 tells us that salvation is not earned through effort but received through belief. You don’t work for grace; you trust in it. Every time you believe God’s Word over your own feelings, you strengthen the foundation of your recovery.
Faith looks like trusting that you are forgiven — even when you don’t feel forgiven.
Faith looks like obeying God’s Word — even when it’s inconvenient or hard.
Faith looks like believing change is possible — even when you’ve failed before.
Faith and repentance are daily rhythms. Together, they keep your recovery alive and active. Without faith, repentance becomes empty self-improvement. Without repentance, faith becomes empty words. But when both are alive in you, transformation takes root.
The Power of Turning Back
The word “repent” in Greek (metanoia) means a change of mind — a total reorientation of heart and direction. It’s not about feeling bad; it’s about seeing differently. True repentance is the moment when your eyes open, and you realize you’ve been walking away from love and grace — and now you’re coming home. The beauty of the Gospel is that God doesn’t just wait for you to crawl back. He runs toward you. Think of the prodigal son (Luke 15). When the son finally “came to himself” and turned toward home, the father didn’t stand with crossed arms; he ran to embrace him. That’s repentance in motion — a return to the Father who never stopped loving you. Recovery rooted in Christ is built on this truth: God is not finished with you. Every time you turn back to Him, He meets you with mercy.
Repentance and Relapse
For many, relapse is not the end — it’s a reminder of how deeply we need grace. Repentance is not about starting over every time you fall; it’s about running back to Jesus every time you do. The difference between shame and repentance is direction: shame turns you inward, repentance turns you toward God. Shame is crippling, conviction leads to action and that action should be repentance. Every setback can become a setup for deeper surrender if it drives you back to faith. Don’t let guilt keep you from returning. God’s arms are always open. The blood of Christ doesn’t lose power when you fall — it’s what helps you rise again.
Application
Reflect on the areas where your faith has been weak or where your repentance has been shallow. Have you confessed sin without actually turning from it? Or have you tried to “repent” without truly believing God’s grace covers you? Pray for the courage to make a clean turn. That might mean ending a relationship that leads to temptation, deleting a number, changing your routine, or confessing to someone in your recovery group. Repentance is not only spiritual — it’s practical. Faith leads to movement. Today, trust that God is not asking for perfection; He’s asking for direction. Keep turning toward Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your mercy that calls me to repentance and Your love that draws me back every time I wander. Forgive me for the times I’ve said sorry but kept walking my own way. Teach me what real repentance looks like — not just words, but a heart that turns toward You in faith. Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief. Strengthen my faith to trust You even when I don’t see the outcome. Give me the courage to let go of everything that pulls me away from Your presence. Today, I turn around. I choose to follow You, not my old ways. Lead me in paths of righteousness and remind me that Your grace is greater than my past. Thank You for never giving up on me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection
Daily Action Step
Write down one lie you’ve been believing — perhaps about yourself, your future, or God. Then write one truth from Scripture that replaces it. Pray over that truth every morning this week. Faith grows when we choose truth over emotion.
More Scripture for Further Growth
Pray over these Scriptures. Don’t just read them — let them speak to you. Take time to read the full chapters they belong to, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring deeper understanding. These additional verses are here for those who feel a growing hunger for more each day. As your journey continues, let God’s Word become your daily source of renewal, conviction, and strength.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Romans 10:9–10 (ESV)
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Devotional: Turning Fully Toward God
If Day 1 begins with honesty before God, Day 2 moves us to a place of transformation. Once the light of truth exposes our hearts, we face a crossroads: we can either stay in our old direction or turn around completely. That turning — that repentance — is the pivot point of recovery. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. Repentance is turning from sin; faith is turning toward Christ. One without the other is incomplete. You cannot cling to the chains you’ve confessed and still walk in freedom. Confession opens the door, but repentance walks through it.
For many, repentance has been misunderstood as guilt or punishment. But in Scripture, repentance is not about punishment — it’s about restoration. God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). It’s His mercy that draws us home. Imagine driving the wrong way down a highway. You can admit you’re going the wrong direction, but unless you turn the car around, you’ll never reach safety. That’s the difference between confession and repentance. Confession says, “I’m going the wrong way.” Repentance says, “I’m turning around and going where You lead.”
Faith: The Anchor of Change
Faith is not a feeling; it’s a decision. Faith is choosing to believe that what God says is true, even when your emotions, circumstances, or history scream otherwise. In recovery, faith is the bridge between where you are and where God is calling you. Without it, you remain trapped in a cycle of regret and relapse. Faith doesn’t deny the pain — it gives it purpose. It doesn’t ignore the past — it redeems it. Romans 10:9–10 tells us that salvation is not earned through effort but received through belief. You don’t work for grace; you trust in it. Every time you believe God’s Word over your own feelings, you strengthen the foundation of your recovery.
Faith looks like trusting that you are forgiven — even when you don’t feel forgiven.
Faith looks like obeying God’s Word — even when it’s inconvenient or hard.
Faith looks like believing change is possible — even when you’ve failed before.
Faith and repentance are daily rhythms. Together, they keep your recovery alive and active. Without faith, repentance becomes empty self-improvement. Without repentance, faith becomes empty words. But when both are alive in you, transformation takes root.
The Power of Turning Back
The word “repent” in Greek (metanoia) means a change of mind — a total reorientation of heart and direction. It’s not about feeling bad; it’s about seeing differently. True repentance is the moment when your eyes open, and you realize you’ve been walking away from love and grace — and now you’re coming home. The beauty of the Gospel is that God doesn’t just wait for you to crawl back. He runs toward you. Think of the prodigal son (Luke 15). When the son finally “came to himself” and turned toward home, the father didn’t stand with crossed arms; he ran to embrace him. That’s repentance in motion — a return to the Father who never stopped loving you. Recovery rooted in Christ is built on this truth: God is not finished with you. Every time you turn back to Him, He meets you with mercy.
Repentance and Relapse
For many, relapse is not the end — it’s a reminder of how deeply we need grace. Repentance is not about starting over every time you fall; it’s about running back to Jesus every time you do. The difference between shame and repentance is direction: shame turns you inward, repentance turns you toward God. Shame is crippling, conviction leads to action and that action should be repentance. Every setback can become a setup for deeper surrender if it drives you back to faith. Don’t let guilt keep you from returning. God’s arms are always open. The blood of Christ doesn’t lose power when you fall — it’s what helps you rise again.
Application
Reflect on the areas where your faith has been weak or where your repentance has been shallow. Have you confessed sin without actually turning from it? Or have you tried to “repent” without truly believing God’s grace covers you? Pray for the courage to make a clean turn. That might mean ending a relationship that leads to temptation, deleting a number, changing your routine, or confessing to someone in your recovery group. Repentance is not only spiritual — it’s practical. Faith leads to movement. Today, trust that God is not asking for perfection; He’s asking for direction. Keep turning toward Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your mercy that calls me to repentance and Your love that draws me back every time I wander. Forgive me for the times I’ve said sorry but kept walking my own way. Teach me what real repentance looks like — not just words, but a heart that turns toward You in faith. Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief. Strengthen my faith to trust You even when I don’t see the outcome. Give me the courage to let go of everything that pulls me away from Your presence. Today, I turn around. I choose to follow You, not my old ways. Lead me in paths of righteousness and remind me that Your grace is greater than my past. Thank You for never giving up on me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection
- Where is God asking me to turn around in my life today?
- Have I been trying to manage sin instead of truly repenting from it?
- What does genuine faith look like in this season of my recovery?
- How can I live as someone who truly believes I am forgiven?
Daily Action Step
Write down one lie you’ve been believing — perhaps about yourself, your future, or God. Then write one truth from Scripture that replaces it. Pray over that truth every morning this week. Faith grows when we choose truth over emotion.
More Scripture for Further Growth
- Luke 15:11–24 — The parable of the prodigal son; repentance meets the Father’s embrace.
- Psalm 51:10–12 — David’s prayer for a clean heart and renewed spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 7:9–10 — Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation.
- Romans 2:4 — “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.”
- Mark 1:15 — Jesus’ first sermon: “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
- Hebrews 12:1–2 — Run the race with endurance, fixing your eyes on Jesus.
- John 14:6 — Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
Pray over these Scriptures. Don’t just read them — let them speak to you. Take time to read the full chapters they belong to, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring deeper understanding. These additional verses are here for those who feel a growing hunger for more each day. As your journey continues, let God’s Word become your daily source of renewal, conviction, and strength.
No Comments