"REPENTANCE - MORE THAN JUST 'I'M SORRY'"

Good Morning Everyone! (or should I just say "mornin''?) LOL!

I thought I would get an "early" start, so I wouldn't neglect posting tonight. Yesterday and last night was was up to my elbows (an exaggeration, really just above my wrists) in peanut butter. So far we have about 400 egg orders and more coming in. Anyway, as usual, my love for peanut butter is waning. Under normal circumstances I could sit and eat a jar just by itself with a spoon, but for about a month after this fundraiser, I CANNOT STAND the smell, let alone the taste of peanut butter! Anyone mentions the word PEANUT BUTTER and I run the other way! LOL! Everything should be back on track by Friday night.

We will have them all delivered and safely in the hands of their owners by then. YAY! Needless to say, this has been the bleakest year yet for our Easter Egg Sales, but the economy has really taken its toll. I'm hoping that we get a big burst of sales on the last day.

ANYWAY, on with my post.

Have you EVER thought about REPENTANCE? Many people are confused by that word. They seem to think that it means "telling God they are sorry, asking forgiveness and then going on their merry way. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO IT.

First, let me tell you something. Repentance is a crucial part of being saved. You cannot be saved without it. Did you know that it is SO IMPORTANT, that according to God's Word, it is the only recorded reason that the Angels Rejoice in heaven? That's right. It tells us in Luke 15:7 NIV
"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent ". That to me "shouts" important!

Let me go into a little bit more detail about this topic. First, I will explain what Repentance IS NOT. It is NOT penance. There are some cultures in this world who believe that you have to "suffer" to repent. My Pastor even mention a culture which actually crawls on glass to the church and gets to the altar with bloody hands and knees for their repentance. That is not necessary. Another beats themself on their backs to gain repentance. Folks this is not necessary. Causing pain to oneself DOES NOT constitute repentance.

Another thing, confession is part of repentance, but not the whole thing. Yes, we must confess our sins to God as well as asking forgiveness, but that is only part. We must have Godly Sorrow. In other words, prove to God that we are changing by living for Him, wanting to have that special relationship with Him. Repentance is TURNING YOUR LIFE TOWARD GOD. Repentance MEANS to change, to turn away from our sins, BUT the second part of that is to turn TOWARD GOD. Therefore even if we do the first part and say we're sorry, and ask forgiveness, we have not truly repented yet. WE MUST start living for God.

I know I sound redundant, but I cannot stress how important it is, and people are so nonchalant about it these days, it scares me for them.

The Greek meaning for repentance is: a mind change - reconsider one's actions due to sorrow because they sinned.

Repentance is a "choice to change OUR ways and do it GOD'S way.

Before we can repent of sin, we have to recognize that we have sinned. All sins are not sins of action. Sins can be "bad spirits" such as lust, critical spirits, lying, deceit, greed and so on.

Repentance is for the "churched" as well as the "unchurched". Even the apostle Paul said "I die daily".

We cannot compare ourselves to others. This brings me to the Publican and the Pharisee in Luke 18:1-14 where the Pharisee is comparing himself and pointing out all of his "righteous" actions to God compared to the Publican. the last scripture in that passage tells us what God thought about that. Verse 14 says "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The only thing we are to compare ourselves to is the "Word of God".

FORGIVENESS is NOT repentance, it is the RESULT of repentance.

Repentance is the "ACT OF MAN, forgiveness is the "ACT OF GOD.

Here's hoping that you all have a WONDERFUL AND BLESSED DAY today.

May God Bless!

"NEW TESTAMENT SALVATION - THE ACT OF REPENTANCE"

Good Evening to All!

I am continuing the topic of "Salvation" tonight with the "Act of Repentance".

I love this picture to the right. What better way to teach your children the way to repent than to show them by example?

Unfortunately, in today's lax times, repentance is taken WAY TOO LIGHTLY. You would be surprised at the people who actually think that as long as they make a trip up to the altar (if that) and tell God that they are sorry, then everything is ok, and they can go on about their business, with nothing changed, happy and "forgiven" and think they can go out and do the same thing over again as long as they make a return trip to the altar the next service.

These people are being deceived. By whoever is telling them this, and by themselves because they don't read God's Word enough to know the difference. I don't mean to sound harsh, but if people really and truly expect to be saved, STAY SAVED and enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they need to study God's Word. It's going to take more than just a little "common sense" or "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" attitude. Jesus says we must obey His commands. There are a lot more commandments in the Bible than the "Big Ten". It is going to take reading and study God's Word to know what exactly He expects from us for us to be allowed into His Kingdom. We are going to be judged not just by the Ten Commandments, but by ALL sixty-six books of the Bible when we stand before Him. As well as the need for having our names written in the Book of Life.

Now, to get to the "nitty-gritty of Repentance. Repentance is turning AWAY from sin TO God. These are Jesus' words about repentance. (18) To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in Me. (19) Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision, (20) But made known openly first of all to those at first at Damascus, then at Jerusalem, and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance. (Acts 26:18-20 AMP.)

Verse 18 was Jesus telling Paul what he was supposed to do, the last two verses was Paul explaining his actions to King Agrippa.

Repentance has three necessary aspects: an intellectual change (change of views), an emotional change ( change of feelings), and a volitional change (voluntary change of purpose). (God will not force us to change. We must do it because it is of our own free will). It includes recognition of sin; (when Jesus was sitting and eating with the publicans and sinners her over heard the scribes and Pharisees making comments to His disciples) Jesus said, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17AMP.), This includes the confession of sin to God. Proverbs 28:13 AMP says: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (1:9) if we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [ everything not in conformity to His will in purpose,[thought and action].
Please let me interject here. This does not mean that we go up to the altar ONE time, ask for forgiveness and then all of our future sins are forgiven. We must "die" daily which means to ask for forgiveness every time we sin. This is true repentance This idea of "once saved ALWAYS does not hold water Biblically. , contrition, or godly sorrow which is sincere penitence or remorse, with true purpose of amendment. (Psalm 51:17; 2 Corinthians 7:10), and a decision to forsake sin (Proverbs 28:13; Luke 3:7-8). With repentance comes the willingness to make restitution for past sins as much as possible (Matthew 5;23-24; Luke 19:8).

Repentance is the first response of faith to the call of God. And saying, The [appointed period ] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel). (Mark 1:15 AMP). It is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO SALVATION. (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). Without repentance, baptism is not effective, and without repentance a person cannot receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 3:19).

You may ask why is this so. It is because without repentance, you still have "issues" that come between you and God. How many times have you said something to someone or done something and apologized just so "you" would feel better, or so the other person would stop being angry or upset with you? I know I have been guilty, and I know I'm not the only one. Repentance is when you bear your soul to God. Cry out with sincerity for His forgiveness as well as the other people from whom you need forgiveness. When we have unforgiven issues in our hearts it puts a "wall" up of sorts between us and God and makes it hard for Him to hear our prayers asking for His help and forgiveness. If we go to Him with a clean heart and a right spirit, He will forgive us for our sins, but we must truly mean it and don't mistake it. He sees our hearts so He knows if we are sincere or not.

Not only that, if we continue to do the same thing over and over again, then we have not repented, therefor the above applies; ineffective baptism (so our sins have not been washed away), and we will not receive the Holy Ghost, which is given to us to help us on our journey of being saved. You see, the Holy Spirit is what teaches us How to Live for God, as well as guiding us into ALL truths. He will help us to stay on the right path IF WE WILL LET HIM. So He is definitely need to stay saved. We cannot do it on our own.

At repentance, a person begins to let God work in his life. He decides to turn away from sin and allows God to run him. As part of the turn from sin, God enables him to break away from sinful habits and desires. As part of the turn to god, repentance prepares the way for him to have a personal relationship with God, qualifying him for baptism of water and of Spirit.

The work of forgiveness and remission comes through repentance and water baptism
(Acts 2:38). Repentance deals with a person's sinful lifestyle, and baptism deals with the record and consequences of sin.

If you can't get your thought around repentance any other way, look at it from the stand point of following one of the Ten Commandments. "Thou shalt not lie". If you do not repent of your sins, and confess them to God, then in a sense, you are Lying by Omission. Even if God sees you sinning, His command is to confess your sins and be honest with Him. If you don't repent, then you are not in obedience with His Will. (My own way of thinking).

Tomorrow, I will be discussing the importance and significance of water baptism to Salvation.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

"RENEWED THINKING"

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Good Evening to All!

(2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good , pleasing and perfect will.

(3) For by the grace given me , I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (4) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:2-6 NIV)

I think most people when reading the above passage, automatically start thinking of the worldly ways of dress, entertainment, morality and such. The thing is it is much more. It also includes the way we look at things. Worldly Perspectives. If we will start looking at things from God's perspective, it will truly make us stronger and not so much in despair.

When we listen to all the bad news coming from the media these days it can really be discouraging. The news of war, the news of how immorality is running rampant such as certain new laws being accepted and we are expected to see it as acceptable or the norm, and even political ideas which are obviously anti-Christian, as well as ideas to make the statement "big brother is watching and listening completely true.

I know people have said that for years, but they at least were secretive or discreet (whichever way you want to look at it. Now it's becoming a blatant fact. They don't care who knows or what we think about it.

We need to remember that all the above are from a "worldly point of view". That is one reason I have gotten into watching the Christian news, because it puts things in a much more interesting perspective and it's not so depressing. Yes, it may be the same news, but they go at it from the Christian focal point.

The "renewing of our minds" is happening to us continually if we are true Christians. This means we are open to God's perspective on everything in life. We change as we study and apply God's Word to our everyday lives. We associate ourselves with other Christians, we see how God is working in their lives. We see the individual gifts which God has given to each person and how we can work together in one accord, to build each other up, uplift one another and help to renew one another by encouragement in the Word by having Bible studies, group discussions, or just being there for our friends with scriptures of reassurance.

We sin, we ask God for forgiveness, and we REPENT. Meaning we turn from sin and don't repeat the same offense again. God forgives us and we become closer to Him, and in turn our minds and our hearts are being renewed spiritually. Paul said "He died daily", meaning he died out to his sins. He repented daily, which brought him closer to God. When we get closer to God it makes us WANT to be renewed in our spirits. It makes us want to please God. We cannot please God if we keep looking at things through "earthly eyes". That will only serve to put us in despair. That is what the devil wants.

If we will learn to acknowledge when we sin to God, ask for forgiveness, and repent, then steer away from the temptations of this life in the future, it will help us to gain strength, increase our faith in God and help to reprogram our thought s to be more like Christ's.

The more we delve into God's Word and study the Scripture and begin to understand what God wants for us and expects from us, the more we will change. We will notice how God is working in our lives, our minds and our hearts to change us and prepare us for His Eternal Kingdom.

Reading this devotion and studying this scripture, it brings another passage to mind.


Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

If we will pattern our brains and our thoughts after this verse, our outlook on life will be much closer to God's perspective.


Below are the answers for last night's Bible Challenge - "Waterways".

1. c) all of it (Genesis 1:1-10)
2. d) rock (Exodus 17:6)
3. c) Kidron (2 Samuel 15:23)
4. b) the River Jordan (2 Kings 2:6-11)
5. d) Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:20)
6. Heshbon (Song of Solomon 7:4)
7. Assyria (Isaiah 8:7-8)
8. a) River Jordan (Matthew 3:6)
9. b) the Pharisees Luke 16:14-31
10. c) Euphrates (Revelation 16:12)

How did you do?

Good Night To All and May God Bless!

" A DEEP -DOWN CLEANSING OF OUR SOUL"

Good Evening to All!

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. (7) Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (8) Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. (10) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (12) Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (15) O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O god, you will not despise. Psalm 51: 6-8, 10, 12, 15, 17 (NIV)

My devotional book states the above verses in this manner, but does not give a specific version, it just says God's Word. It is a publication titled "God's Word to the Nations" That is why I noted the NIV version above.

(6-8) You desire truth and sincerity. Deep down inside me you teach me wisdom. Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness. Let the bones that you have broken dance. . .

(10) Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me. . . (12) Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience . . .

(15, 17) O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will tell about your praise . . .The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.

Every day is a new opportunity to allow God to forgive us and renew our spirit. King David wrote this specific Psalm after the prophet Nathan came and reprimanded David for the sin of committing adultery with Bathsheba. Hyssop symbolized David's desire to be holy and restored in his relationship with God. It was used in the ceremonial cleaning at Passover, the feast celebrating God's delivering his people from Egypt. Hyssop , dipped in the lamb's blood, was used like a brush to sprinkle the blood above the doors and on the doorposts. god also directed the use of hyssop to cleanse people of skin diseases. The sponge soaked in wine and offered to Jesus on the cross was stuck on a hyssop branch.

We are imperfect, and we fail. We were born in sin and it is in our nature. We give in to temptation and sin. It may be just a little lie, a look at someone with lust in our hearts, or perhaps even engage in adultery as did David. No matter what we do, we can trust that God is willing to forgive us, if we come to Him, confess our sin and turn away from that sin to not do it again. To change our hearts so that we will be stronger and able to avoid sin. This is why I love the verse Acts 2:38 so much. Some people listening to Peter preach the Gospel asked him what they had to do to be saved. He said Repent, (turn away from sin, change your ways) be baptised everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Not only does this assure me that I will be saved, but also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost which will guide me into ALL TRUTH, teach me HOW to live for God and help me to stay on the path to righteousness. That is SO WONDERFUL.

This being said, I must always be sensitive to the Holy Ghost and what it is telling me. I'm not saying it will keep us from ever sinning again. As long as we are human and on this earth we will be subject to temptation and sin. It is our choice as to what we do. God gave us free will and will not force His ways upon us. The Holy Ghost will just talk to our spirit and nudge us if we are not suppose to do something or vice-versa.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:10 says Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth, and God is touched when we SINCERELY repent and have remorse for what we have done.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!