Only God Can Change A Heart

[Your closest friendnt]

20 hours ago, Michael37 said:

All good, Starise.

I am put in mind of these verses:

Mat 9:9-13  As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him.  (10)  As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.  (11)  When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  (12)  When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.  (13)  But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Key Point: Without being called to repentance by Jesus none will repent and follow Him.

That's what you say!

[missmuffet]

17 minutes ago, Starise said:

Yes I see what you mean. 

LWho is qualified to be a spokesperson for God? 

Right, pray to God and ask him to search your heart. Then wait for an answer. Ask God " what are you trying to tell me Lord?". 

[Michael37]

7 hours ago, Sower said:

Just curious, how did Jesus call you to repentance, Michael?

What repented you (changed your thinking) to faith in Christ?

I grew up hearing the Word of God at home and in church and from early childhood continuously responded with acceptance and repentance whenever aware of my need to. Many Christians witnessed to me in all sorts of ways on various occasions and I was always being challenged about my worldly behaviour and backslidden lifestyle.  

In my mid-20's God revealed to me that I was denying Christ by the way I was living but He would be faithful to complete the good work He began in me. Following this my aim became for the soil of my heart to go from being so hard that the Word wouldn't take root and would be snatched away by the Devil, to being tilled and fertile so that the Word grows in it and produces fruit.

I believe the call of Christ to repentance is ongoing and everpresent.

Luke 24:45-47  Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.  (46)  He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  (47)  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

[Alive]

6 hours ago, Michael37 said:

I grew up hearing the Word of God at home and in church and from early childhood continuously responded with acceptance and repentance whenever aware of my need to. Many Christians witnessed to me in all sorts of ways on various occasions and I was always being challenged about my worldly behaviour and backslidden lifestyle.  

In my mid-20's God revealed to me that I was denying Christ by the way I was living but He would be faithful to complete the good work He began in me. Following this my aim became for the soil of my heart to go from being so hard that the Word wouldn't take root and would be snatched away by the Devil, to being tilled and fertile so that the Word grows in it and produces fruit.

I believe the call of Christ to repentance is ongoing and everpresent.

Luke 24:45-47  Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.  (46)  He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  (47)  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Thank you for sharing this testimony.

[Starise]

1 hour ago, Alive said:

Thank you for sharing this testimony.

Thanks for your testimony

The issue in my 20's was hanging with some of the wrong crowd who weren't real friends and didn't care anyhow. It's a dead end for any Christian to hang with the world and expect their approval.

Seek the approval of Jesus and He will provide real friends.