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Overcoming the Infectious Disease of Sin

July 29, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Sin is much like an infectious disease.  It is putrid, painful, and spreads.  There is no cure without the correct medicine.  Without the medicine, death is inevitable.  I praise the Lord that our disease of sin is not incurable!  He has provided the remedy!

Who needs God’s remedy for Sin?  Everybody!  The Bible confirms it in the Book of Romans with these words:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Sin is an unavoidable condition of the human heart.  Our hearts are wicked says the prophet Jeremiah.  (A prophet is one who speaks God’s words.)  Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 19:9-10:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  who can know it?  I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” 

What is the penalty Jeremiah speaks of?  It’s revealed in Paul’s writings to the Romans in chapter 6:23a:

“For the wages of sin is death…”

That’s a pretty steep penalty.  We might think that someone who commits a heinous crime is definitely deserving, but God says all of us deserve this terrible penalty.  God’s meaning of death is not just a physical death, but also a spiritual death–eternal separation from God.

Many look for ways to avoid the inevitable consequence of sin, but there is no way to avoid God.  God knows our heart.  Everything is revealed to Him.  Luke reveals what Jesus told the Pharisees:

“And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”  Luke 16:15

Paul told us in his letter to the Romans that all will give an account to God.  Consider these words:

“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

He also adds in verse 20:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight:  for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

He goes on to explain…

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”  (Romans 3:21)

This means that the law of Moses and the words of the prophets testify to the reality of sin and the truth of the penalty of sin.  But there’s more…

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is not difference:  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:22-24)

Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, the righteousness of God.  He is the remedy for sin.  The remedy, Jesus, provides salvation from the penalty of sin that the Law requires.

Good news!  There is a solution to sin!

What’s more, God changes hearts so those who receive the remedy are no longer comfortable sinning.  The cured have peace with God through Jesus!  The Bible confirms it:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-2

God knows we need help, so He gives us the Holy Spirit.  Consider Paul’s words:

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”  Romans 5:5-6

Wow!  If you know someone who needs the remedy to cure that infectious disease called sin, I pray you will consider having an important conversation to share this good news.

 

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A Clear Conscience With Man

July 4, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

A loud fog-horn blared behind me and joined a police officer’s flashing lights. His cruiser was nearly touching my bumper. He angrily motioned for me to get over. With a car ahead of me, and other cars on my right, I had no place to go. My heart bolted and fear crammed its way into my mind. I frantically pulled over into the grass and the officer whizzed right on by me, screaming at me as he passed. A few seconds later I saw him get out of his vehicle, jerk on a vest with a orange florescent tape and begin calmly talking to another officer at the intersection. He was in a big hurry to assist the other officer direct traffic at a stop-light that motorists were treating like a 4-way stop. There was no emergency. Though relief flooded my mind, my heart still pounded in my chest. I’d done nothing wrong, but my mind replayed the scene over and over.

For me, it is a scary thing to see flashing lights in my rearview mirror. It’s scary because I don’t expect to see them. I try my best to obey the laws of the road. So when an officer blasts a siren or horn behind me, I immediately question what I’ve done.

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16

What does it mean “to have a conscience void of offence”? You can think of nothing wrong between you and God. There is nothing wrong between you and anyone else. You are not angry and no one is angry at you. You hold no grudges and no one holds a grudge towards you. You have no guilt. You have lived up to your word; kept your commitments–been truthful and honest.

In Psalm 51:3, David knew the hounding of a bad conscience when he said, “My sin is ever before me.” The bondage of guilt consumed him; it can consume us. Guilt holds us tighter than any shackles of iron. No torture the poets describe can match the fierce unutterable pain of a bad conscience. We know we’ve sinned and yet we do nothing about it. We hold onto it and let it strangle us and keep us imprisoned, unable to move forward.

As Christians, we are made free in Christ. Through Christ we are released from the guilt of our sin. We are given a clear conscience for the sin in our life because Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin. He took our place for the punishment we deserve. When we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God’s mercy and grace gives us fresh starts–it justifies us. The trials of life are easier to face when you have a clear conscience.

Then when Satan, and life blares angry horns of accusation, you can know that you are free in Christ. The criticisms are easier to face. Paul wrote that he exercised himself to have a clear conscience. He knew he was free even though he was chained to guards, even though he was surrounded by prison walls. He held onto that conscience–void of offence as he lived out his ministry. He also lived in a way that kept his conscience clear toward man.

PRAYER: LORD, assure us in our times of guilt that You want us to live in the freedom of Christ’s love and forgiveness. Remind us wherein we may fail that You have won the victory for us. Help us right our wrongs and move forward in Your grace without condemnation and guilt.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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God Cooks The Books, Reconciliation

June 22, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Ever had a disagreement? Most of us have, at one time or another, clashed with friends, co-workers, bosses, or family members. Often couples argue over the checkbook–who is in control, what is spent and how much is spent. It sometimes takes another to step in and help us come together and reconcile our differences.

When a checkbook doesn’t balance, it is because the number of checks spent don’t add up to the amount of deposits we make into our accounts. When this occurs we have to figure out where we went wrong and correct the situation. That’s called reconciling, or balancing your checkbook. When we cannot find the error, often we write off a few cents or dollars to make it balance. That is what we need to do with relationships. Sometimes when we cannot see eye-to-eye, or we have grievances that another cannot understand, we need to “write off” the wrong to reconcile the relationship. We need to forgive the offense.

As humans, we make mistakes. Sometimes they are unintentional, sometimes intentional.  “We all sin and come short of the glory of God.” {Romans 3:23) This sin separates us from God. And there is no way to balance our account with God without a reconciliation. We have that through Jesus. Jesus attoned for our indebtedness to God. His death paid our sin-debt.

“But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:22 (emphasis mine).

You may have committed some sin you think is irreconcilable. The truth is, you are right. You cannot reconcile your sin. You cannot make up for your mistake. You cannot fix it by helping others, by giving out more than you owe, or even by shaking hands and forgiving another person who has wronged you. Your reconciliation to God comes through Jesus. He has reconciled you. He presents you as holy, without blemish, free from accusation. It is Jesus who does it all. God has the checkbook of your life. Jesus is the pen in God’s hand to correct and change the figures to balance your life. Jesus.

What joy there is in knowing this. What freedom we have in Christ. We no longer have to struggle to be righteous; Jesus made us righteous. We need only hand Him the pen and let Him handle the offenses against us. He erases it. He casts it into the deepest sea. And unlike us, who tend to remember the errors, Jesus eradicates the offense. It’s gone. Cannot be brought back up to weigh us down and destroy the peace of God. We can trust the LORD to do right…to make things right that are wrong.

PRAYER: O, LORD, help those who do not know You…know You. Help those who do not rest in Your reconciliation–Your power, Your ability–help them to surrender, relax and rest in You and the fact that Jesus has paid the price for all our sin.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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Bible Verses On Freedom

June 22, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Below are some Bible verses that relate to freedom we have in Christ. Freedom can be defined in several ways for different individuals. Some people are in bondage to fear, to sin, to other people, to circumstance. Through Christ we are assured God delivers, rescues, frees, and releases Believers from all kinds of chains: be they physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. I pray you find some verses here to help you understand the freedom God offers you. Feel free to add your favorite verse in the comment box below.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

When we struggle to accept the freedom we have in Christ. When others need to be encouraged to rest in Christ and not the laws of man.:

“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?” Acts 15:10

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10

“In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free.” Psalm 118:5

“Since the children [are human], He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy Him who holds the power of death– that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14-15

PRAYERS for deliverance, rescue, and help:

“Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” Psalm 25:20

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me. . . who sets me free from my enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:47-49

When Others Cast Doubts:

“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance– now that He has died as a ransom to set them free…” Hebrews 9:15

“But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:22

“The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” 2 Peter 2:9

“Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you are a shield around me, O LORD…From the LORD comes deliverance. Psalm 3:2-3, 8

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4

“For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight. Psalm 72:12-14

“When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors He will send them a savior and defender, and He will rescue them.” Isaiah 19:20

Security in Christ’s Freedom:

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15

“With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” Proverbs 11:9

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

“But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Malachi 4:2

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5

Examples of God’s Deliverance and Faithfulness:

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 God saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace to show His watchcare and power to deliver.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20 God freed Joseph from the pit and raised him up in Egypt to high authority with Pharoah in order to save Israel from famine and certain death.

Why God Rescues and Sets Me Free:

“Because He loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15

“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him would have everlasting life.” John 3:16

How To Receive this Freedom In Christ:

ASK God: “Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.” Psalm 6:4

THEN: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

BELIEVE: “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

GOD PROMISES: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

UNDERSTAND: “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:22

I pray you read these verses again and again and gain consolation through the freedom offered you in Christ Jesus….the comfort available…the peace afforded…the sufficiency in God’s grace.

Compiled by © Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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Recipe for Success

May 28, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

 Recipe for Success

 Isaiah 53:5-But he was pie-rced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (NIV).

 Here is my never fail recipe for potluck emergencies.

 Cheesy Onion Pie

four cups of chopped onions

  four cups of grated cheese (I like Cheddar)

 unbaked pie crust for a deep dish two-crust pie

 Stir onions and cheese together and pack into a deep pie plate lined with pastry. Add the top crust, pierce it, and plop it in the oven. Bake it at 425 degrees F. for ten minutes and then 350 degrees for another 30-35, or until onions are soft and crust is baked.  It is delicious both hot and cold.

 NOTE: For a larger crowd, use a 9×13 pan and a thinner layer of filling. Cut in squares to serve.

             Everyone will rave about your pie and they will even ask for a copy of the recipe.  They won’t believe it when you tell them what is in it.

 “Are you sure?” they’ll ask. “Haven’t you forgotten something?”

 “No,” I always reply. “Try it for yourself.”

 They do and then their friends ask, “Are you sure?”

 Just like my pie, some people find it hard to believe that Jesus, the Son of God, took human form, came to earth, was crucified for our sins and then was raised from the dead.

  I used to be like that too, but when I invited Jesus into my life , I found out the truth for myself.

 Now when I tell my friends about Jesus, they say…. and their friends say….. And so on!

 Are you willing to try my pie…and my Jesus?

 Brenda J. Wood

http//heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com

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There’s a Step “Two”

May 3, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Becoming a Christian is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. That’s how I feel, anyways. When that decision is made, there is usually lots of celebration. Rightly so, since it’s meaning and repercussions are lasting throughout this life and beyond.

It’s step one.

But I think there is a step two that a lot of people neglect. I often wonder about all of those people who become saved through mission trips, crusades, telethons, youth group, etc. What happens to them afterwards? What happens when the team putting on the event leaves? Is there anyone to follow up on their lives? Is their anyone to help walk them through the day-to-day growth of living a life as a Christian?

Yes, that is step two. Discipling.

Just as we train our children while we are raising them, so does a Christian need to be trained. Simply asking Jesus into their heart doesn’t give them the tools they need to live a vibrant life for Him. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t seem to “take” for so many.

I think we need to always be learning, always growing. It’s like school. You keep graduating and going on to the next grade. A Christian needs to keep graduating and moving on to the next lesson of growth and maturity.

You see, being a Christian is about more than simply salvation. It’s about LIVING for Him. Every day. Every moment.  We cannot simply “do the deed” and then stay in the same place, doing the same thing for the rest of our lives. God asks us and calls us to keep rising above the place where we were before. We cannot simply live in mediocrity.

So many people feel as if God is so far away. That He’s not present in their lives. But to truly feel God, you need to seek Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

God wants us to seek Him with everything we are! He wants us to be teachable so that we can learn more about Him. So that we can access all that He is and all that He wants to give us. He wants to mold us into who He sees. But we need to try. We need to seek.

To me, being a Christian means that I am constantly trying to be a better person. I’m always learning something and I’m discovering new things to be excited about. If I don’t try to grow, if I don’t feed my mind – it is too easy to get apathetic, cold, distant, and lukewarm about my faith.

Revelations 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

I don’t want God to spit me out of His mouth. I want to be vigilant and stand strongly for what I believe in.

It is so fabulous when someone accepts Jesus into his or her heart. It is worth every celebration and praise uttered on their behalf. But let’s not forget the “step two” of it all. For them and for us. Everyone needs to be discipled. To have a teacher and to be a student. We need to help one another learn, grow, and mature. If we don’t, the world will far too easily come in and sweep us off our feet for we won’t have grown the strong roots we need to keep holding us firm.

Let’s rise above mediocrity. Let’s keep pushing for that next level in faith. Together.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez blogs her faith at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com. You can also follow her on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DionnaSanchez

 

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Remembering the Day

April 22, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2, NIV

For many people, Good Friday is just another Friday.  Either they do not understand its significance or they simply do not take time to contemplate the love and forgiveness lavished on mankind the day our Savior sacrificed Himself because of our sin.

As I think about Good Friday, I am reminded of the day I finally understood the pain He suffered for me.  During a high school retreat, our speaker described the agony Christ endured as nails the size of railroad spikes were driven through His feet and the palms of His hands.  These weren’t little penny nails like the one I stepped on barefooted as a child, but large spikes capable of holding a man’s weight on a splintered plank of wood hewn from a tree, not a smoothly sanded two by four from the local lumber yard.  The crown of thorns He wore that day didn’t rest upon His head in magnificent splendor, but instead painfully pierced His brow.  Christ humbly laid down His life on the cross to pay the death penalty our sins deserved so that we could be freed from the curse and power of sin and shame. 

Today, take a few moments to remember and thank Jesus for the love He lavished on you that first Good Friday.  Because He lives, that love and forgiveness are still available for those who have yet to receive His free gift of salvation. 

A friend once said to me that even if I were the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for me.  Can you imagine so great a love?  If in His love Christ was willing to die for us, how can we not in our love be willing to spend the rest of our lives sharing that love with one another?

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What Would I Give In Exchange

April 21, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

What would you give in exchange for life?  What is precious to you?  Would you cut off your arms to save your life?  Poke out your eyes?  What do you prize above all things?  Would you give it in exchange for another’s life?  Personally, I question myself.

Millions of people give blood to help save complete strangers’ lives.  Some people are willing to give up their kidneys, parts of their liver in order to save a loved one.  Several months ago, I saw a news account of a coffee-shop owner who gave a kidney to a customer.  Would I risk my life for another?  I think about police officers and firemen who risk their lives every day to protect us–soldiers who fight to keep us free.  I think about Christians around the world who risk their lives to study the Bible, to share the Gospel, to simply profess their faith in Christ.  Would I do that?  I’d like to believe I would, but I don’t know.  God knows.

God gave Egypt to the Babylonians as ransom for Israel. He gave Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for Israel’s release. Even though Israel was stiffnecked and stubborn, God gave life in exchange for life.  He did this because…because He loved Israel. 

”Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43:4

They were precious in His sight.  He loved them.  Today God continues to ransom those whom He loves. Through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, He has paid the final ransom for our sin-blackened souls.  There are no more sacrifices to be made.  No more exchanges.  Jesus is the propitiation–the appeasing offering–for our sin, the wages for our death sentence.  Paid in full.

Because God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son to die on Calvary to set us free from the bondage of sin and everlasting punishment. Because He first loved me and you, He gave.  Simply “because”.

“Because you are precious in My sight…and because I love you.”

“I love Him because He first loved me.” 1 John 4:19 

Because He loves me, and because I love Him…What will I give in exchange?

What does He ask of us?  Go, tell, baptize, make disciples, teach.  So we can’t teach.  So we can’t make disciples.  So we can’t baptize.  So we can’t go.  Can we at least tell?  Can we at least tell others what God gave in exchange for our lives?

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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