Do you know the joy of repentance?

Repentance is powerful. We are changed and transformed by true repentance. Luke 15:8-10 speaks about this. The verse from two versions of the Bible is given below.

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”(version NIV)
8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins [each one equal to a day’s wages] and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her [women] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I found the lost coin!’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents [that is, changes his inner self—his old way of thinking, regrets past sins, lives his life in a way that proves repentance; and seeks God’s purpose for his life].”(version AMP)

Get up. Speak boldly. Do not fear.

Prophet Jeremiah was hesitating. He was like many of us. But when God urged him again, he became bold.

Here we have three interesting versions of the Bible giving Gods command to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:17. Read the three verses repeatedly. Examine if we have been hesitant in some matters. If its so, its time we stand up and start doing what we need to do.

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. (version KJV)
“Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them.(version NLT)
But you [Jeremiah], gird up your loins [in preparation]! Get up and tell them all which I command you. Do not be distraught and break down at the sight of their [hostile] faces, or I will bewilder you before them and allow you to be overcome.(version AMP)

Are you determined not to be defiled?

Daniel was determined. He did not want to be defiled. 

If you do not want to be defiled by junk food, fast food, hasish, marijuana, caocain, liquor, pronography or anything you can also decide to be determined as Daniel. The Proverbs 12:11 portion is given from 3 versions of the Bible below.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (version KJV)
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (version NIV)
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile (taint, dishonor) himself with the king’s finest food or with the wine which the king drank; so he asked the commander of the officials that he might [be excused so that he would] not defile himself.(version AMP)