WINNING WITH THE WORD
“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.
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Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, May 24, 2021, and this is Episode #16 of Series 2021. This episode is titled “Why Do I Need to Repent?”
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According to the Blue Letter Bible (blueletterbible.org), the word “repent” appears 46 times in 43 verses in the King James version of the Bible.
What does it mean to repent, and why does the Bible command us to do so?
First, let’s take a look at the meaning of the word repent. In common parlance, to repent means to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin; to view or think of (an action or omission) with deep regret or remorse.”
While these are good definitions for the word repent, the Biblical concept of the word repent goes even deeper. According to the Bible, to repent means to change one’s mind. To do a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction.
We find this meaning of the word repent in Acts 3: 19 where the Greek word metanoeō (met-an-o-eh’-o) is used for the word repent. Metanoeō is defined in Strong’s Concordance as “to change one’s mind; to change one’s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.” In his commentary on the verse, theologian F. F. Bruce writes: “Repentance (metanoia, ‘change of mind’) involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness.”
So, now that we’ve explored the definition of the word repent, why do we need to repent? Indeed, why does the Bible command us to repent?
Here are three basic reasons we all need to repent:
1. We are all sinners, and sin is an affront to God Who is perfectly holy. The Bible tells us in Romans 3: 23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin cannot stand in the Presence of a Holy God. When man fell in the Garden of Eden, his sin separated him from God. There was no way that man could atone for sin to a perfectly holy God because man was now hopelessly sinful and imperfect. Were it not for the mercy of God in sending Jesus to atone for our sin, mankind would have been doomed to spend eternity separated from God and in unspeakable torment.
2. If we don’t repent of our sin, we will spend eternity separated from God in an indescribably horrific place called Hell. While Jesus paid the price for our sin by His death and resurrection, we must individually receive His gift of eternal life in order to go to Heaven. In John 3: 3, Jesus says, “Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” A gift is not a gift until one receives it. So, it is critically important that if a person wants to be saved, he accept Jesus Christ as his Savior.
3. Repentance reconnects us with God through Jesus Christ and allows us to go to Heaven when we die. Whereas sin separates us from God, repentance reconnects us with Him. When we repent, we are saying, in essence, that we choose God over sin and that we desire a relationship with Him above a relationship with sin.
If you have not yet repented and accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, I urge you to do so now, before it is too late. He is returning soon to remove His followers from this earth before the coming Great Tribulation that will bring untold horror on the earth. To receive Jesus Christ, pray this simple prayer with me now:
Lord Jesus, I need You. I don’t want to live in sin any longer. I invite You into my life now. I receive You as my personal Savior and the Lord of my life. Thank You for forgiving me and bringing me into Your family. Thank You for saving me. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer, please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com. I would like to send you a free e-booklet that will help you get started in your walk with Christ. I also encourage you to get yourself a Bible and read it every single day. The Bible is God’s love letter to you, His manual for your life. In the Bible, God reveals Who He is, and He teaches you how to live.
Finally, ask the Lord to lead you to the church of His choice for you where you can learn about Him and have fellowship and encouragement with other Christ-Followers. It is critically important in these last days to fellowship with other believers who are mature in Christ and can guide you as you grow in Him.
If you are not yet a subscriber to the Winning with the Word blog and podcast, I urge you to click on the link below to subscribe now so you will not miss a single weekly episode:
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PLEASE TWEET: “Why Do I Need to Repent?” (CLICK TO TWEET)
Now it’s your turn: Do you need to repent? What, if anything, is holding you back? Please leave your comment in the Comment Box below. Thank you.
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Sources Cited: https://www.google.com/search?q=define+repent&oq=define+repent&aqs=chrome..69i57.1522j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
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For those of you who may not know, I write fiction about many of the issues I deal with in this blog and podcast. My latest novel, Miracle in Milan, has just been released in both print and ebook formats and deals with the issue of unforgiveness. It is the story of a young, female auditor who discovers evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler. You will find Miracle in Milan to be a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. To order your copy, go to Amazon or to my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table. You will also find Miracle in Milan on Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
This podcast is funded by listeners like you. If you have been blessed by Winning with the Word, I invite you to become one of my special patrons on Patreon.com. For only $1.00, $3.00, or $5.00 a month, you can help me proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Winning with the Word now reaches 51 countries on six continents because of your faithful support. So please help me to keep Winning with the Word on the air by becoming one of my valued patrons. Your patronage helps to cover the costs of producing, hosting, and distributing Winning with the Word to the four corners of the earth. Patrons receive special benefits, including free books, short stories, podcasts, and videos. So, join my wonderful team of Patrons and be part of something great!
To become a patron, go to https://www.patreon.com/winningwiththeword
I would like to thank all of my patrons who are making this podcast possible. I could not do this without you!
Finally, be sure to check out my latest non-fiction book, The Iron Saint. This book, modeled after The Iron Man triathlon, talks about the coming persecution of the Church in America and how you can prepare for it. The Iron Saint is available on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other major book purchasing venues. You may also find it on my website at maryanndiorio.com/book-table. Get a copy for your pastor as well.
Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!
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Now Available for Purchase: Dr. MaryAnn’s latest novel, Miracle in Milan.
When a young, female auditor discovers evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler, she must choose between ruining him or ruining herself.
Amy Torelli, Chief Auditor for New York City-based Enson Pharmaceuticals, is assigned to audit the books of Enson’s Italian branch in the enchanting city of Milan, Italy. Having made an inner vow never to trust a man again because of her father’s betrayal, Amy finds herself falling in love with Enson Italia’s American-born Vice-President, Ted Masters. Will Ted be the one to cause her to break her inner vow?
Ted Masters is on the run. A run from rejection. From himself. From God. Having been wounded by a father who made him feel worthless, and having been dumped by the woman he wanted to marry, Ted is determined to keep all women at bay. But will Amy Torelli be the reason he changes his mind?
Miracle in Milan
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THE IRON SAINT by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD
The Church in America is on the verge of a tremendous spiritual awakening, an awakening that will first be fueled by persecution unlike anything we have ever seen before in this land. Indeed, a prophetic word given in my home church during the month of November gave this warning to the Church: “Prepare for the fire of persecution!”
But the Church is not ready for this persecution. For the most part, the Church in America has been weak and lukewarm. Flabby and lazy. Consumed with the world and not with the things of God. As a result, the Church has been deceived and has subverted the divine order of things.
In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. MaryAnn Diorio seeks to help equip the saints for the work of true, integritous, and effective ministry. As a teacher in the Body of Christ, it is her burning desire to help correct this devastating error.
In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. Diorio has outlined a plan of action for strengthening the Church through uncompromising obedience to the Word of God. This plan of action is based on her own 50 years of walking with the Lord and being led by His Holy Spirit.
If you are a born-again believer and member of the Body of Christ, make this book a top reading priority.
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Check out these popular Winning with the Word podcasts below. You may also search for a particular topic in the search box at the top of the sidebar on this page.
__How Close Are We to the End?
__When Your Prayers Don’t Seem to Be Answered
__The Privilege of Persecution
__7 Signs That the Tribulation Is at Hand
Are you new to this blog? If so, what is the “Winning with the Word” blog and why will it bless you to read it?
“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that helps you to deal with the daily problems of life by using the Bible as your guide to solving them. The Word of God will make you a success in life!
AN INVITATION TO YOU: To subscribe to Winning with the Word, click here.
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Copyright 2000-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be published or printed in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may contact her at info@maryanndiorio.com to request permission.
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In the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 13, the Word of God gives a sobering command and warning: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
