They later changed their minds and trusted him

Turn from resistance and trust what God is showing

Wait until the message comes from someone more impressive

Trust the correction only if the messenger already has status

Assume other people's response removes your own need to change

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have resisted your call and not trusted you as I should. I turn from my sin and from my stubborn heart. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, and I ask you to lead me in your right way. Thank you for receiving me. Amen.

Turn and Believe

Lord, revive your Church with humble and responsive hearts. Where we have become slow to hear, quick to defend ourselves, or blind to your work in unexpected people, awaken us. Let us repent quickly and believe you fully, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Wake Us to Repentance

Thank God for the grace that reaches people others dismiss; thank him that no one is beyond hearing his call; thank him for the mercy that keeps speaking even after resistance.

Thank You for the Unexpected Believers

Pray by naming one place where you have resisted God's correction, asking him to help you see clearly, and asking for the grace to change course without delay.

Pray for a Responsive Heart

Father, draw near to people who feel stained, excluded, or unlikely to belong. Let them hear your voice, trust your mercy, and discover that your welcome is real, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For Those Who Feel Too Far Away

Bring these to God: willingness to be corrected; courage to trust him when the messenger is unexpected; a heart that repents before pride hardens; obedience that follows what you see.

A Teachable Spirit

ἦλθεν{EEL-then###EEL-thehn###(He) came} γὰρ{GAR###GAHR###for} ⸂Ἰωάννης{i-o-AN-nees###ee-oh-AHN-nees###John} πρὸς{PROS###PROHS###to} ὑμᾶς⸃{hee-MAS###hee-MAHS###you} ἐν{en###ehn###in} ὁδῷ{ho-DO###hoh-DOH###way of} δικαιοσύνης,{di-ke-o-SEE-nees###dee-keh-oh-SEE-nees###righteousness} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} οὐκ{ook###ook###did not} ἐπιστεύσατε{e-pee-STEF-sa-te###eh-pee-STEHF-sah-teh###believe} αὐτῷ·{af-TO###ahf-TOH###him} οἱ{ee###ee###the} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} τελῶναι{te-LO-ne###teh-LOH-neh###tax collectors} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} αἱ{e###eh###the} πόρναι{POR-ne###POHR-neh###prostitutes} ἐπίστευσαν{e-PEE-stef-san###eh-PEE-stehf-sahn###(They) believed} αὐτῷ·{af-TO###ahf-TOH###him} ὑμεῖς{hee-MEES###hee-MEES###you} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} ἰδόντες{i-DON-tes###ee-DOHN-tehs###having seen} ⸀οὐδὲ{oo-DE###oo-DEH###not even} μετεμελήθητε{meh-teh-meh-LEE-thee-te###meh-teh-meh-LEE-thee-teh###changed (your) minds} ὕστερον{HEE-ste-ron###HEE-steh-rohn###afterward} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###to} πιστεῦσαι{pi-STEF-se###pee-STEHF-seh###believe} αὐτῷ.{af-TO###ahf-TOH###him}

Matthew 21:32 — LiteralTAB

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