What does it mean to repent? If you said “to turn away from your sins,” you’re right–well, almost. In the Bible, the Greek word often translated repent means to change your mind. When we come to God, we repent: instead of embracing the false ideas of our age and conforming to the world’s standards, our minds are changed. The whole way we think is renewed.
Some people think of God as some kind of divine killjoy who hates to see humans have a good time. They usually write off Christianity as a religion of “thou shalt nots.”
Have you ever noticed that some days you can look in the mirror and feel pretty good about what you see . . . and then others, you’re about as thrilled with your reflection as you are about the school cafeteria’s Meatloaf Mondays? Thanks to hormones, those crazy chemical messengers that sometimes hijack your emotions, fluctuating moods are one of the joys of being a teen.
Each year, as the calendar turns from December to January, we hold high hopes for the future. Each year, for better or worse, life happens. And then, sometimes, we happen to life
Respecting authority seems like a lost art in our age. Our society at large often disrespects parents, law enforcement, teachers, pastors, and just about every other governing authority there is. And let’s be honest: sometimes these people mess up. Sometimes they’ve done nothing to earn our respect. But Paul made it clear that if for no other reason, we should respect those in authority for their positions, which God has given them
Have you ever regifted a Christmas present? In 2012, more than 60% of those surveyed said they planned to regift a present they had received that holiday season.
As the third king to sit on Israel’s throne, Solomon couldn’t have been more honored than he was when God promised one of his descendants would sit on Israel’s throne forever. This promise came with a stipulation, however: Solomon must walk before God faithfully, with integrity of heart.
Don’t be uneasy, worrying about your parents’ shaky relationship, your grandma’s scary medical diagnosis, or whether you’ll ever find a girlfriend or boyfriend. These are things the unbeliever worries about, and your heavenly Father knows all about them.
Eventually, if it hasn’t happened already, a non-Christian will try to convince you there is no God or that the Bible isn’t true. Or maybe he’ll ask why you have certain convictions–or why it matters that you honor Jesus with your lifestyle. Maybe someone who doesn’t know God will just need encouragement–a reason to believe there is hope for the gray bleakness that shrouds their own existence.
Paul said to give thanks to God always for all things.