{"id":2469,"date":"2019-07-28T20:46:41","date_gmt":"2019-07-28T20:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/?page_id=2469"},"modified":"2023-07-09T23:27:19","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T05:27:19","slug":"gods-word-on-repentance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/?page_id=2469","title":{"rendered":"God&#8217;s Word On REPENTANCE"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"c7\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/heavens-beauty.info\/images\/relationships.jpg\" width=\"328\" height=\"328\" align=\"left\" border=\"0\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c8\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">God&#8217;s Best Advice<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">This Is What Gods Word On Repentance<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c10\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span class=\"c9\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">God&#8217;s Word On REPENTANCE<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Have you ever had the experience of driving in a strange city and suddenly realizing you were going the wrong way on a one-way street? What you do next is very much like the biblical idea of\u00a0<b>repentance<\/b>. You make a U-turn and change your direction as fast as you can.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Repentance<\/b>\u00a0is motivated by the realization that you have taken the wrong way in life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Repentance<\/b> is made complete when you admit your sin and make a commitment, with God\u2019s help, to change your life\u2019s direction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>WHAT IS REPENTANCE<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Matthew 3:1-3<\/b>\u00a0. . .\u00a0<strong><span class=\"c12\">\u201cTurn from your sins and turn to God.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Repentance<\/b>\u00a0means being sorry for sin and being committed to a new way of life serving God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Luke 19:8<\/b>\u00a0Zacchaeus . . . said to the Lord,\u00a0<em><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"c13\">\u201c if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c15\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span class=\"c14\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Repentance is made complete by changed behavior.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Exodus 9:27-34<\/b>\u00a0. . . When Pharaoh saw this, he and his officials sinned yet again by stubbornly refusing to do as they had promised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #000080;\"><b>Repentance that produces no lasting change is insincere.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>WHY DOES GOD WANT US TO REPENT<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Leviticus 26:40-42<\/b>\u00a0. . .<em>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"c16\">\u201cAt last my people will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors for betraying me and being hostile toward me.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">All of us need to repent because we have betrayed God with our sins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>2 Chronicles 30:9<\/b>\u00a0. . . The Lord your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c15\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span class=\"c14\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Repentance is necessary for an ongoing relationship with God.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>1 Samuel 7:3<\/b>\u00a0. . . Samuel said to all the people of Israel,<strong>\u00a0<span class=\"c13\">\u201cIf you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods<\/span>. . . .\u00a0<span class=\"c13\">Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">We must turn away from all other gods in order to worship the one true God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Proverbs 28:13<\/b>\u00a0. . . People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Isaiah 55:7<\/b>\u00a0. . .<em><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span class=\"c17\">\u201cLet the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Jeremiah 3:12<\/b>\u00a0. . .<em>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"c17\">\u201c Therefore, go and say these words to Israel, \u2018This is what the Lord says: O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c15\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span class=\"c14\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Repentance is necessary to receive God\u2019s mercy.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Ezekiel 18:30-32<\/b>\u00a0. . .<em><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"c17\">\u201c Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn from your sins! Don\u2019t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don\u2019t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Ezekiel 33:11<\/b>\u00a0. . .\u00a0<em><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"c17\">\u201cAs surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c15\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span class=\"c14\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Repentance is the key to having new life from God.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c18\"><span class=\"c9\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Matthew 3:2<\/b>\u00a0. . . <span style=\"color: #993300;\"><em>\u201cTurn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Luke 24:47<\/b>\u00a0. . .\u00a0<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><em><span class=\"c17\">\u201cThere is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Acts 2:37-38<\/b>\u00a0. . . Peter\u2019s words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles,\u00a0<strong><span class=\"c13\">\u201cBrothers, what should we do?\u201d<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Peter replied,<strong>\u00a0<span class=\"c13\">\u201cEach of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Forgiveness of sins and entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven is only for those who have turned away from their sins and turned to God.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Acts 3:19<\/b>\u00a0. . . Turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Forgiveness of sins and the Kingdom of Heaven are only for those who have turned away from their sins and turned to God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Matthew 11:20-24<\/b>\u00a0. . . Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn\u2019t turned from their sins and turned to God. . . .<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c18\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><em><span class=\"c9\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cYou people of Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to the place of the dead.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #000080;\"><b>Refusal to turn away from our sins will bring God\u2019s judgment.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>WHY IS REPENTANCE NECESSARY<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Ezekiel 33:10-16<\/b>\u00a0. . . The good works of righteous people will not save them if they turn to sin, nor will the sins of evil people destroy them if they repent and turn from their sins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c15\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong><span class=\"c14\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Repentance leads to forgiveness of sin.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Jeremiah 5:3<\/b>\u00a0. . . They are determined, with faces set like stone; they have refused to repent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c14\" style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">The unrepentant heart rejects God and remains in sin\u2019s grasp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Luke 13:1-8<\/b>\u00a0. . . You will also perish unless you turn from your evil ways and turn to God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Jesus taught that without repentance we face judgment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Luke 15:10<\/b>\u00a0. . . There is joy in the presence of God\u2019s angels when even one sinner repents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;\"><b>All heaven rejoices when one sinner repents.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>IS REPENTANCE A ONE-TIME EVENT, OR DO WE NEED TO REPENT EACH TIME WE SIN<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Psalm 51:16-17<\/b>\u00a0. . . The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">While salvation is a one-time event, God is pleased by broken and contrite hearts willing to confess and repent of sin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>1 John 1:8-9<\/b>\u00a0. . . If we say we have no sin, we are . . . refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Confession and repentance of sin is a constant mark of the person walking in the light of fellowship with God.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span class=\"c12\">PROMISES FROM GOD:<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<b>2 Chronicles 7:14<\/b>\u00a0. . .\u00a0<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><em><span class=\"c17\">\u201cThen if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Jeremiah 3:22<\/b>\u00a0. . . Come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">God is always calling us back to him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Ezekiel 18:21<\/b>\u00a0. . . If wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my laws and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Acts 2:38<\/b> . . . Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. When you turn to God you receive the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>WHY IS REPENTANCE ESSENTIAL TO A SPIRITUAL LIFE<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span class=\"c19\">BIBLE READING:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><b>Luke 3:1-18<\/b><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span class=\"c12\">KEY BIBLE VERSE:<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Here is a sample of John\u2019s preaching to the crowds that came for baptism:<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><em>\u00a0<span class=\"c13\">\u201cYou brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God\u2019s coming judgment? Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don\u2019t just say, \u2019We\u2019re safe-we\u2019re the descendants of Abraham.\u2019 That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span>\u00a0(<b>Luke 3:7-8<\/b>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>REPENTANCE OPENS THE WAY FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>Repentance<\/b><\/span> has two sides-turning away from sins and turning toward God. To be truly repentant, we must do both. We can\u2019t just say that we believe and then live any way we choose; neither can we simply live a morally correct life without a personal relationship with God, because that cannot bring forgiveness from sin. Determine to rid your life of any sins God points out, and put your trust in him alone to guide you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>REPENTANCE DEMONSTRATES REAL FAITH<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Confession of sins and a changed life are inseparable. Faith without deeds is dead (<b>James 2:14-26<\/b>). Jesus\u2019 harshest words were to the respectable religious leaders who lacked the desire for real change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">They wanted to be known as religious authorities, but they didn\u2019t want to change their hearts and minds. Thus their lives were unproductive.\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>Repentance<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>must be tied to action, or it isn\u2019t real. Following Jesus means more than saying the right words; it means acting on what he says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">When you tell someone off, or you start an argument with them or something which causes strife or stress, do not say\u00a0<b>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t do anything to apologize for&#8221;<\/b>\u00a0because you caused the argument or you caused the conversation to get out of hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">We are to\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>&#8220;REPENT&#8221;<\/b><\/span>\u00a0no matter whose fault it is. We have to always repent to one another and to God, to be forgiven. Don&#8217;t never think you are to good to apologize, because you are lying to yourself and to other&#8217;s, when you think you are to good to admit you did cause something to cause trouble, or you have to much pride which God hates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span class=\"c19\">BIBLE READING:<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<b>Matthew 3:1-12<\/b><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span class=\"c12\">KEY BIBLE VERSE:<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0In those days John the Baptist began preaching in the Judean wilderness. His message was,\u00a0<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><em><span class=\"c13\">\u201cTurn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span>\u00a0(<b>Matthew 3:1-2<\/b>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>REPENTANCE MAKES INWARD CHANGE A VISIBLE REALITY<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">When you wash dirty hands, the results are immediately visible. But repentance happens inside with a cleansing that isn\u2019t seen right away. So John used a symbolic action that people could see: baptism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">The Jews used baptism to initiate converts, so John\u2019s audience was familiar with the rite. Here, baptism was used as a sign of repentance and forgiveness. Repent means <em><strong>\u201cto turn,\u201d<\/strong><\/em> implying a change in behavior. It is turning from sin toward God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Have you repented of sin in your life? Can others see the difference it makes in you? A changed life with new and different behavior makes your repentance real and visible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong><span class=\"c19\">BIBLE READING:<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<b>John 12:1-11<\/b><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span class=\"c12\">KEY BIBLE VERSE:<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0The leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus. (<b>John 12:10-11<\/b>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: #993300;\"><b>REPENTANCE BREAKS OUR BONDAGE TO SIN<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">The chief priests\u2019 blindness and hardness of heart caused them to sink ever deeper into sin. They rejected the Messiah and planned to kill him, and then plotted to murder Lazarus as well. One sin leads to another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">From the Jewish leaders\u2019 point of view, they could accuse Jesus of blasphemy because he claimed equality with God. But Lazarus had done nothing of the kind. They wanted Lazarus dead simply because he was a living witness to Jesus\u2019 power. This is a warning to us to avoid sin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c11\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>Sin<\/b><\/span>\u00a0leads to more sin, and this downward spiral can be stopped only by repentance and the power of the Holy Spirit to change behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>God&#8217;s Best Advice This Is What Gods Word On Repentance God&#8217;s Word On REPENTANCE Have you ever had the experience of driving in a strange city and suddenly realizing you were going the wrong way on a one-way street? What you do next is very much like the biblical idea of\u00a0repentance. You make a U-turn [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2469","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2469"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4291,"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2469\/revisions\/4291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}