Second Chances

by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

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, December 27, 2021, and this is Episode #39 of Series 2021. This is our last episode for this year. This episode is titled Second Chances.

For most of us, a new year means a new beginning. All of us, at one time or another, need a new beginning. We need to start over. We need a second chance. Whether we need to recover from a mistake, a broken relationship, a job loss, the death of a loved one–whatever the case, we all need a new beginning once in a while.

Where does the concept of a new beginning come from? Have you ever wondered? 

As I think about the close of 2021 and the opening of 2022, I am reminded that new beginnings–second chances–are God’s idea. How do I know? The Bible says so.

In the Book of Revelation–a book that so few people read, although it is one of the most amazing books in the Bible–the Apostle John wrote this in chapter 21, verse 1: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared.”  

Did you know that, one day, this earth, as we now know it, will no longer exist? The Bible tells us that it will be destroyed by fire because it has been corrupted by the sin of man. But God will create a new heaven and a new earth for those who follow Him. What an exciting promise!

God is in the business of Second Chances. It is not for nothing that He is called the Redeemer. A redeemer is one who buys back, who restores, who gives second chances.

The greatest second chance in the history of the human race occurred when Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby, grew up, and died on the Cross at the age of 33 to save every human being who would ever live on earth.You see, Jesus didn’t have to do that. He had given Adam and Eve authority and dominion over the earth, to rule over it. But by disobeying God, Adam and Eve forfeited that dominion to Satan.

Now, Satan rules over the earth. He is the reason for all the evil that humanity has suffered throughout the ages. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He took back the authority that Adam and Eve had handed over to Satan. But only those who are born again–in other words, only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord–can operate in that authority over Satan. The rest of the world cannot because those who have not accepted Jesus Christ have not accepted their second chance. 

 
You see, Jesus is our Second Chance. In dying for our sins, Jesus gave Himself to pay for our sins. He gave us a second chance to be restored to what God originally intended for us: a life in eternal union with Him, free of every evil.
 
Today, Jesus is offering you that second chance. Will you accept it? I urge you to do so. You may never have this opportunity again.

Jesus is coming back soon to take with Him all those who have accepted their second chance. Won’t you be one of them? Pray this prayer with me now so that you can be:

Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are the God of Second Chances. I thank You that, even now, You are offering me a second chance to spend eternity with You. I accept Your second chance, and I receive You now as my Savior and Lord. In so doing, I am also accepting a second chance at life, at a good marriage, a happy family, sufficient provision, renewed health, and every good thing. I align myself with Your purpose for my life. Thank You for giving me this second chance. I pray, believe, and receive in Your Name. Amen.

If you sincerely prayed this prayer, please write down today’s date. It is your spiritual birthday. And please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com. I would like to send you a free PDF booklet, titled After You’re Born Again, 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 who can guide you as you grow in Him.

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For those of you who may not know, I write fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. Starting in January, Lord willing, I will be discussing many of these issues right here on Winning with the Word. We will be talking about the deep hurts that hinder us in life and how to overcome those hurts through the power of God’s Word. Hurts like rejection, abandonment, fear, betrayal, the orphan spirit, and other such topics that rob us of the joy of life. 

So, if you are hurting in any way, be sure to tune in next week for our first episode of Winning with the Word for the new year 2022. 

Also, if this podcast has helped you in any way, please consider supporting it by becoming one of my valued patrons. Just go to patreon.com/winningwiththeword to join my wonderful Team. Patrons receive numerous benefits in appreciation for their support.

Meanwhile, 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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Please check out my latest children’s book, Penelope Pumpernickel: Dynamic Detective, Book 2 in the popular Penelope Pumpernickel Series of Chapter Books for Children. This series, written for early and reluctant readers, is designed to build Christian character in the young children in your life. To order, just click on the book cover image below. You may also purchase your copy on my website at https://maryanndiorio.com/book-table.

My latest novel, Miracle in Milan, has 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 convincing 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. 

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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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Copyright 2000-2022 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.

Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies. 

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Do You Need a Second Chance? by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

WINNING WITH THE WORD
by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

“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.

AN INVITATION TO YOU: To follow this blog, click here.  

If this blog has blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

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Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below on the PODCAST LINK to today’s blog post:

PODCAST: “Do You Need a Second Chance?” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

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On my morning walk this morning, I saw a tree that caught my eye. What struck me about this tree is that the lower part of its trunk was crooked while the upper part was straight.

Instantly, the Lord spoke to my heart: “If you follow My ways, no matter how crooked your past, I will make your future straight. I will give you a second chance.”

Overwhelmed by the Lord’s mercy, I thought of my own life. Before I met Jesus, I was following a crooked path, a path that would eventually lead to death and destruction. But when I met our precious Lord, He redirected my life and put me on a straight path. He gave me a second chance.      

Perhaps you, too, need a second chance today. Perhaps you’ve    been following a crooked path–whether through ignorance, rebellion, or a combination of both. Whatever the case, God is  ready to take you by the hand and put you on the straight path.

What is the straight path?

The straight path is the path that leads to life. It is the path of righteousness. It is the narrow path that alone brings joy and peace.

Some people are blessed with starting out on the straight path and remaining on it. Because of the Word of God engrafted early on in their young hearts, such people never enter the crooked path but remain faithfully on the straight path. They never experience crookedness but grow straight–like the straight young sapling I also encountered on my morning walk. This tree is growing in the right direction, following the path intended by its Maker from the beginning.

Most of us started out on a crooked path. Life has bent us and twisted us and distorted us. But God can give us a new direction. He can redirect our path toward Truth and Light and Life. We have only to repent and surrender to Him. 

The tree on my morning walk had started out crooked but now it was growing straight. Straight upward toward the One Who’d created it in the first place. My “second-chance tree” was finally pointed in the right direction–not toward the world around it but toward the heavens above it. 

What about you? Do you need a second chance today? Do you need God to straighten you out? Do you need to leave behind the twisted pain of your life and embrace the beauty of being straight?

If so, God is ready to meet you. And in His hand, He is holding your second chance. Won’t you accept it now? Just pray this simple prayer with me:

Lord God, I am in desperate need of a second chance. I have messed up my life. I am bent and crooked and broken. Please straighten me out. Please give me a second chance. I repent of my former ways. In the Name of Jesus, I repent of having followed the crooked path. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I now choose to turn with You onto the straight path. I choose to follow You on the straight and narrow path for the rest of my days. Help me, Lord. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, you are now a born-again child of God. Please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com and I will send you a free booklet to help you start walking on the straight path.

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!

 

Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below on the PODCAST LINK to today’s blog post:

PODCAST: “Do You Need a Second Chance?” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

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Photos by MaryAnn Diorio. Copyright 2019. All  Rights Reserved.

Now, it’s YOUR turn: What about you? Are you on the crooked path or the straight path? If on the crooked, are you willing to change paths? I hope so! Please share your comments in the Comments Box below. Thank you!

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Copyright 20111-2020 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.

Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies.