Repent

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God … ”The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.” – Luke 3:8-14

In the story that we call ‘The Prodigal Son’, the man returns home after wasting his life and says “I have sinned against HEAVEN and you father…”

In other words…throwing your life away isn’t just hurtful here, it is offensive in heaven … this is the definition of the word “sin”.

We define a “lost life” from what the story looks like at the very end. Not until all the chapters have been written and ‘The End’ is stamped on the last page can we see the final big picture.

The thing is, every story consists of millions of thoughts that lead to beliefs that lead to actions that define a life, and those thoughts we too often call “insignificant”, add up to the completed life.

Thoughts cut ruts causing our “life wheels” to follow paths determined by either wrong thoughts, leading to wrong directions or, trenches dug by “right” thoughts providing protection and direction.

I talked to a baseball player who said “I am hitting the ball in 30% of my attempts. I am not hitting well.”

FACT – If someone hits .300 they are a potential hall of famer. Receiving wrong thoughts led my potential hall of fame hitting friend to see himself as a failure 70% of the time. Not just in baseball … in everything … because ruts cut across every area of our lives. My baseball friend believed a lie and the lie infected every area of his thoughts and beliefs and actions.

REPENT

We see the word “repent” as scary.

It’s actually the path to freedom, and this scares the enemy to death!

Repent – to change direction so that our direction is in line with Him … sometimes by 180 degrees but, often, by a very small degree.

Repenting leads us to The Truth, and The Truth sets us free.

Every story has a beginning, middle, and end, including millions of opportunities to add thoughts.

Each thought contributes to our completed story.

Change the way you think right now.

Which thoughts?

Ask Dad to show you.

It may look small, but the smallest things often have HUGE impact.

When He shows you … REPENT – change your mind to come into agreement with Him.

When we repent, we will prove it by the way we live, by the fruit that we bear.

Don’t be fearful of repenting.

Run to it.

You have been prayed for today.