Are you persuaded Jesus is your Lord and Master…yes or no? For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day...2 Timothy 1:12. Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him: if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us: if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself...2 Timothy 2:11-13. And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will...2 Timothy 2:24-26. Are you caught in the snare of the devil...yes or no? Have you died with Jesus in baptism (Rom 6:1-4) and been raised with Him (Col 2:12)…yes or no? Perhaps you have fallen somehow and caught in the snare of the devil…perhaps you are working on someone who is caught in the snare of the devil. They have to acknowledge the truth or confess the sin or agreement that landed them in the snare of the devil. They have to acknowledge they have an agreement or been snared by the devil to do the devil’s will. Will you renounce the devil and acknowledge the truth…yes or no? Have you been baptized or will you be baptized in order to be raised with Jesus? Yes or no? Prayer Father we renounce satan your enemy and all forms of darkness please grant us repentance and reveal the needed truth we need to be saved and cleansed from our past evil deeds and change to please You…and meet our soul’s deepest needs that we may be in health and prosper as our soul prospers…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen, Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

Many when asked are you going to Heaven when you die say I hope so… Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time...1 Peter 1:3-5. And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure...1 John 3:3. For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God...Romans 8:24-27. Hanging on patiently every day in Christ Jesus our Lord We have an eternal hope of living in Christ here on earth and when we die in heaven above. Hope has two ingredients a desire and an expectation. We desire heaven and its rewards and expect by our faith to receive an entrance into Heaven. Our faithful obedience to the word of God increases our hope of rewards. We can know we have loved God and our neighbor by our deeds and prayers. Are you a living hope of entering into heaven? Many say when asked are you going to heaven I hope so. This does not disqualify our faith in our obedience to Jesus but by the desire and expectation we wait for our Lord to return in Judgement or our death to depart and be with Him. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

We walk by faith and not by sight… For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith...Romans 12:3 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me...Galatians 2:20. if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister...Colossians 1:23. Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith. And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God...1 John 5:2-5. Faith is rooted in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our belief that God has sent His only Son to be a forever atoning sacrifice for our sins and the work Jesus did on the cross cause us to change and become like God. We learn a way of truth telling and begin practicing the truth we have revealed to us through faith in Jesus and what is written in the New Testament of Christ. This faith of living and breathing for God and His Son Jesus changes our day-to-day life. Each of us can call on God and find faith in our daily activities. May we each learn to exercise faith and practice the truth revealed to us. Prayer Father please give us more faith and reveal more truth and meet our soul’s deepest needs as we learn to obey You and Your only Son Jesus teachings in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

Walk in the fear of God…not men… So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure...Philippians 2:12-13. Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free...Ephesians 6:5-8. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty...2 Corinthians 6:17-18. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God...2 Corinthians 7:1. And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father: but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven...Matthew 10:28-33. I have heard it explained that F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real. You ever been where following God seemed like it would end badly? If you ever find yourself in these circumstances then Fear God and keep His commandments…Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones...Proverbs 3:7-8. We must remain faithful in the fear of death and never deny our Lord and Master Jesus Christ of Nazareth. So do not deny Jesus but confess Him before men and it will bless you. Prayer Father please help us to work out our salvation even with the Spirit of Fear of You so we can remain faithful to Your Only Son Jesus and meet our soul’s deepest needs and heal our soul’s deepest wounds In Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

Rest for your soul… Jesus said… All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light...Matthew 11:27-30. Jesus said… I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep...John 10:9-11. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me...John 14:6. Jesus said if you take His teaching upon you then you find rest for your souls…what does rest for your soul mean…does not mean freedom from evil or the freedom to practice the truth God reveals to you…Yes or No? Jesus said He gives a light and easy yoke of burden and that He came to give us an abundant life and life full of life that He will Shepherd us as the Good Shepherd and that He is the Way to eternal life the Truth we need to get to Heaven and a Life that is well pleasing to the Father which results in eternal life. Jesus also said You will know the truth and the truth will set you free…Will you take Jesus yoke of truth upon you and learn about Him by reading the New Testament of Christ…Yes or no? If you do then you find rest for your souls. Prayer Father we accept and confess we want to know the truth and find rest for our souls so we can free from evil influences…please meet our soul’s deepest needs and heal our wounds we forgive those who have done us wrong…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

Do you give God honor with your lips or your heart and deeds… And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, But their heart is far from me...Mark 7:6. Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness...2 Timothy 2:19. And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will...2 Timothy 2:24-26. How many Christians have honored Jesus with the great confession that Jesus You are the only Son of God and yet deny Him by our deeds. Jesus said to love God with all of your heart, mind, soul, spirit, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. Is the church balancing love and law or are we just practicing law and not applying with mercy and love. There has to be a balance of law and mercy…listen to what Jesus said to the leaders in His day… Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel...Matthew 23:23-24! How can we do better at treating those who are among us with Justice as in treating them just and showing mercy and exercising or rewarding faith? Prayer Father we confess we have not had a balance of law and mercy at times and we need You to meet our soul’s deepest needs so we can practice law with mercy and treating people justly (right) in exercising faith in Your only Son Jesus of Nazareth…In Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

Why was Jesus the Christ of Nazareth baptized… John the Baptist a prophet preached a message all Jews had to obey to be faithful to God… Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way; The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight; John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the country of Judaea, and all they of Jerusalem; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins...Mark 1:2-5. So If you were a Jew and Jesus being from the tribe of Judah was indeed a Jew you had to repent or stop sinning or doing evil and be baptized for the forgiveness or remission of your sins. Jesus never sinned or did an evil thing…therefore He did not need to repent or be forgiven having His sins in remission…so why did Jesus get baptized of John… John was a prophet with a new message of forgiveness repent and be baptized for the remission of sins…any Jew had to obey this message from a true prophet. Jesus when He came to be baptized of John…John stopped Him knowing He did not need forgiveness or to repent…but Jesus said allow it to fulfill all righteousness sake. In my words…Jesus said I have to obey the same message or I will sin by being disobedient to a prophet from God who has commanded all to repent and be baptized. Jesus obeyed a command to repent and be baptized for the remission of sin out of shear obedience to the command…we should learn from His example and be obedient to baptism that is now preached in Jesus name. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased....Matthew 3:13-17. Prayer Father help us to obey your commands which include baptism for the remission of our sins and meet our soul’s deepest needs in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

Are you faithful…yes or no? If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us...1 John 1:6-10. Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working...James 5:16. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God....1 John 4:15. Have you broken one of God’s commandments? 1. Have you received from any other table other than the Creator and His Only Fathered Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth…Yes or No? 2. Have you Blasphemed or used God name in anything other than prayer or teaching…Yes or No? 3. Have you worshipped the created…Yes or No? 4. Have you kept yourself Holy so you can approach God in prayer or worship…Yes or No? 5. Have you honored your mom and dad…Yes or No? 6. Have you murdered…Yes or No? 7. Have you had sex outside of marriage…no adultery…Yes or No? 8. Have you stolen…Yes or No? 9. Have You born false witness…lied or supported a lie…Yes or No? 10. Have you coveted or wanted something or someone God has not given you…Yes or No? If you have answered in the yes to breaking on of these commandments then you need to stop in repentance and confess to Jesus your sin and begin walking again in the light as He is in the Light and His blood will cleanse you from all sin. Prayer Father please have mercy on us and forgive us our sins and meet our soul’s deepest needs and confirm these truths to us in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen, Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

We see Paul teaching the commandments…by Implication... 1. Have no other God (no idolatry) (Col 3:5) 2. Not take the name of God in vain (blasphemy) (1 Tim 1:20) 3. Not to worship graven images (no idolatry) (Col 3:5) 4. Keep yourself Holy (Gal 5:16) or as Jesus told the woman at the well walk in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24) so you may approach God anytime in worship or prayer. The Jew is they had not keep themselves Holy they had to offer a sacrifice…they would be in the sinner line offering the required sacrifice which usually was animals. 5. Honor your mom and dad (Eph 6:2-3) 6. Thou shall not murder (no anger or wrath) (Col 3:8) 7. Thou shall not commit adultery (no fornication or sex only in marriage) (Col 3:5) 8. Thou shall not bear false witness (lie not one to another) (Col 3:9) 9. Thou shall not steal (Eph 4:28) 10. Thou shall not covet (covetousness) (Col 3:5) Not to mention Galatians list of sins… Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ...Galatians 5:19-21. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

Who do you serve this world or the righteousness found in Christ Jesus… For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness...Romans 6:14-18. Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free...Ephesians 6:5-8. Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying; not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world...Titus 2:9-12. We belong to the church of Christ meaning we belong to Jesus Christ of Nazareth who is the head of the church. We are His servants and we are encouraged by the above words not to serve this world but to serve in righteousness in pleasing Christ by pretending or acting as our bosses are Jesus and treating them as if they are Him. Can you make it through a day pretending everyone in Jesus and treating them in right doing…it takes effort and when we fail there is mercy and grace to help in times of need… Prayer Father please teach us how to please Jesus Christ Your only Fathered Son and to live righteous in the crooked world…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen. Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend #benjaminbrianstewart #Love #Christianity #Faith #Bible #Jesus #Prayer #Art #ChristianLife #Gospel #ChristianInspiration #Salvation #ChristianCommunity #love #instagood #photoftheday #beautiful #happy #new #sports #entertainment #technology #business #fashion #health #travel #food #music #art #photography

The start of repentance involves godly sorrow or tears, but to fully achieve repentance, we must also perform deeds. Repentance Rev 2:1-7 Introduction: 1. In this lesson I want to talk about repentance. You may be wondering why do we need to hear about repentance? To answer that question we need to give a few seconds to think about the ruts we have found ourselves in. Sometimes it seems as if we are never going to be able to cross the river of our aching sins 2. Our nagging sins or sinful behavior can drive us far away from God and His Son’s side. Most of us when we realize we have sinned we ask God to forgive us and continue on our path of faith. However how many of us actually try to break the habit. When I say habit, I mean simply this: in certain circumstances we always fall victim to our old pattern of behavior. 3. I want to talk about what repentance is, what it is not, and try to give some helps on repenting. I. What repentance is: A. True definition of repentance 1. Definition of Repentance: making our wrong ways turn into the right ways a. Vines Expository defines it this way: to perceive afterwards, in contrast to perceiving beforehand hence signifies to change ones mind or purpose always in the NT involving a change for the better an amendment b. Webster: to turn from sin and resolve to reform ones life c. Ben’s definition: To make our once crooked paths straight 2. Repentance is hard a. Repentance is not usually easy. If it were easy then we all would not have bad habits. b. Repentance is destroying or old habits, that we no longer want to do c. Repentance takes time, effort, forward thinking, and energy 3. Repentance is a sacrifice of selfish desires a. Repentance is losing our desires in order to please God, wife, or anyone else b. True repentance is done in order to please the God of Heaven and earth c. It is saying I will no longer do this behavior anymore for the rest of my entire life, just to please you God. B. Most people’s definition of repentance 1. The Shedding of Guilt a. Most of us when we are cut to the heart feel saddened by hurting God b. That makes us want to say God I will try not to do it again. However deep down we know we will do it again if the conditions and circumstances are right c. Many times we ask God to forgive but do nothing in order to change, they say I’ll try but really never do try, because trying involves effort. 2. They will not prevent the circumstances again (Mat 5:29-30) a. The drug addict that runs out of money has to change his behavior because he has no way of getting anymore drugs. However that does not mean that he has changed. b. How many times have you said, “I always do this”? or asked God, “why do I always do that” c. This is what I am talking about. It takes effort to overcome our pattern of behavior. 3. The Mental ascent without action a. Have you ever said to yourself, I was working on that but now I have to start over? b. Most of us want to change from doing the behavior we do not like. c. Many of us do not want to change the behavior we like. d. We people are miserable in our own heart of hearts. We want others to never sin but we accept our limitations that we just can not overcome some things. We give up. e. We have to never give up and realize we have help from above C. Repentance is a heart condition 1. Change in heart a. Our hearts can also be called our conscience. All of us sleep better if we have not offended our conscience or if we have not done anything wrong. b. We have to have knowledge of what is right according to God c. That knowledge of breaking God’s heart will cause us to want to change d. Most people in a rut do not care or have become apathetic towards Holy living e. We do not want to hurt God and want to avoid guilt. This is called a change of heart 2. Change in mind a. Then the decision has to be made to put aside or turn away from the behavior that causes God to cry b. Sometimes decisions like these are hard. People have been living in certain behaviors for many years and have in some way made it okay to do. c. We have to make the decision to never sin against God, and this is called a change of mind. We determine we are not going to do it again. 3. Change in direction a. We have to carry this change of heart, and change of mind into our daily living b. Many of us stop right here in our forms of repentance. We do not like the guilt of wronging God, but we never make plans to change our mind, heart, and actions. c. We have to make plans to change our heart condition, or our mind, and carry it out. This is called a change in direction II. What repentance is not: A. It is not Wordily Sorrow 2 Cor 7:8-10 1. Wordily sorrow 2 Cor 7:8-10 a. In order to have a change in heart we have to feel sorry. We have to be made to want to change. There are two kinds of change: worldly and Godly b. When the habitual liar gets caught in a lie, then he is sorry because he has been found out. Like wise when the criminal is caught doing crime he is sorry because he will see the inside of a jail cell. This is called worldly sorrow. These are not sorry for what they did, they are sorry for being caught. 2. Godly Sorrow involves the right Heart-I-Tude or attitude of the heart a. When I understand that something I have done is wrong, and it makes me want to make it right, then that is called Godly sorrow. b. In order to please God we have to have hearts that beat with Godly sorrow. c. We need to cultivate the right heartitude so we can easily change in order to please God d. A person with the right heart, needs only the knowledge that a certain behavior is wrong in order to cause them to change it. B. It is not sociably acceptable (Mat 7:13-14) 1. We are to be people of the high road a. Mat 7:13-14 KJV Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. b. We are to live according to a higher standard than that of our neighbors c. We are to avoid certain behaviors and actions and if we have committed them, then we need to confess them so that others know we have sinned and changed. d. Why confess to others, so they will have a reference point to say they have change and to no longer judge me by my past but remember it no more like our Father in Heaven 2. Sometimes we have to have a backbone the size of a 2 x 4 a. We as Christians have to have a backbone to take a stand against the flow of the world. b. We are the people that resist the sins of the world and not go with the flow. C. It is not good intentions 1. Most people intend to do good but seldom ever do a. I have heard it said that the pathway to hell is paved with good intentions b. Intentions are not actions. We truly do not believe something unless we act on it. c. If I believe that Jesus is my savior then I have to ask Him to save me by obeying the Gospel d. If I do not believe that Jesus is the Savior then why be baptized? e. We have to do more than intend on doing right we have to carry it out 2. Many never even intend on doing good except when others are watching a. It has been said that the character of a man is determined by what he does when no one is looking. b. Many of us will do things to please other humans like our mom or dads but when they are not near then we do as we please. This is the problem I am speaking of here. c. We have to live in the presence of God or realize that God hears our words, actions, and even our thoughts. III. Practical advice and helpful hints A. Set the goal of overcoming the behavior 1. We have to setup our intentions into a formidable plan a. We have to realize there is a problem and decide to fix it b. We have to think of ways or ask for help to overcome it c. We have to want to achieve the shedding of it more than the doing of it 2. Some write out their goals so they are accountable a. It is like a budget for your home or business. We have to have written plan in order to hold ourselves accountable to it. b. The written budget causes us to make our money work for us, the written goals helps us to focus and maintain our direction in keeping with God’s standard. B. Work on just that goal until it is reached 1. We have to be realistic in our pursuit of excellence a. We are not going to change our vocabulary overnight. b. We are not going to be able to change our behaviors overnight. c. It has taken years to get into this shape and it will take time and effort to get out of the rut 2. We have to be continuous in our pursuit of excellence a. We have to continually be on guard against the behaviors we do not want to commit b. We have to continually put away bad thoughts, ideas, and motives. The devil knows we are lazy and tries to wear us out by bombarding us with bad ideas. Until we are morally corrupt and then we feel like not fighting any more. c. We have to fortify our strength and determination in order to overcome and win our battles C. Prayerfully seek God’s Help 1. We have to seek God’s help for our inability to perform His will a. God knows we are weak creatures and can not be perfect. That is why Jesus died for us b. We need to let God know we have a problem and ask for His help in solving it 2. We have to ask God to impart the strength needed a. We need mental strength b. We need physical strength c. We need spiritual strength d. We need to receive power from God in order to perform His will 3. We have to ask God to impart determination a. To overcome our desires b. To overcome our circumstances c. To overcome our fears 4. We have to leave our problems at God’s throne a. We need to depend on God like little children depend on their parents b. We have to say daddy help me please, just like the little girl said, “Daddy help me solve my math problem” We can do the same in asking God, “Lord help me with repentance”. c. We all know God can do anything but fail, and He wants us to, as 1Pe 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.” d. God is our provider and sustainer and we need His assistance in order to repent and live a Holy Life for His pleasure. Conclusion: 1. We have talked about what repentance is. It is a making straight our crooked paths to be right in the eyes of God. It is hard and sometimes not easy. It takes effort and time to gain control over our desires. It is a change in heart, mind, and action that pleases God rather than us. Let us remember We can do all things through Christ which strengthens me, Phil 4:13 2. We have talked about what repentance is not. It is not intending to do good or intending to change for the better but rather the doing of it. I have heard it said I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day. That is similar to repentance, I rather see the doing of it rather than the talking about it. 3. We have talked about some practical ways to overcome our selfish desires. We have to make it a goal and set forth a way to achieve the goal. We have to be continuous in our efforts to remain in the direction of repentance. Sometimes this means we have to reset our moral compass back to the Bible pattern. 4. We have to depend on God if we are able to overcome any form of behavior in godly repentance. After all we repent and change because it pleases God. We need to leave our cares and burdens in God’s throne room and let Him help us. Prayer Father please grant us repentance and tears of godly sorrow in Jesus of Nazareth's name amen.

For by grace are you saved… Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ...Ephesians 1:1-2. Paul is writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the saints in Ephesus and faithful in Jesus Christ… so He was talking to Christians when he wrote… for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them...Ephesians 2:8-10. These grace was for those who had been baptized! If you never been baptized then how do you know the difference?