Devotional Christian » sin

Why is today called GOOD Friday?

Patricia Day — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:21:12 +0000

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (NKJV)

“Good Friday” is certainly not the only thing we could call this day. In Latin countries, it is called “Holy Friday.” In Germany, it is called “Mourning Friday” or “Friday of Mourning.” Norway refers to it as “Long Friday” (a reference to the length of the day’s services). The Orthodox Churches call it “Holy Friday” and “Great Friday.”

All of these names are instructive and understandable. So how did it come to be called “Good Friday” in English-speaking lands? The reality is that we do not know for sure. After scouring the internet and other sources, there appear to be three plausible alternatives.

1. An archaic meaning of “good” is something akin to “holy.” Thus, it used to mean “Holy Friday.”

2. It was recognized that the evils of that day lead to the greatest good, the salvation of mankind. Thus, despite the bad, the day was truly good.

3. An archaic meaning of “good” is “God,” just as “good-bye” means “God be with you.” Thus, it used to mean “God’s Friday.”

Each of these alternatives is apt and instructive. But perhaps the one most relevant to our culture and times is the middle one. Despite the evil of that day, God evoked the greatest good from it. But by good we do not mean happy or a time of celebration per se. As stated well by Chris Armstrong in Christianity Today:

Of course, the church has always understood that the day commemorated on Good Friday was anything but happy. Sadness, mourning, fasting, and prayer have been its focus since the early centuries of the church. A fourth-century church manual, the Apostolic Constitutions, called Good Friday a “day of mourning, not a day of festive Joy.” Ambrose, the fourth-century archbishop who befriended the notorious sinner Augustine of Hippo before his conversion, called it the “day of bitterness on which we fast.”

Many Christians have historically kept their churches unlit or draped in dark cloths. Processions of penitents have walked in black robes or carried black-robed statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary. And worshippers have walked the “Stations of the Cross,” praying and singing their way past 14 images representing Jesus’ steps along the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha.

Yet, despite—indeed because of—its sadness, Good Friday is truly good. Its sorrow is a godly sorrow. It is like the sadness of the Corinthians who wept over the sharp letter from their dear teacher, Paul, convicted of the sin in their midst. Hearing of their distress, Paul said, “My joy was greater than ever.” Why? Because such godly sorrow “brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Cor. 7:10).

For me, the day is a somber, reflective one. I focus on all that Jesus gave up and suffered for his Church. The humiliation, pain, and death are a sacrifice on our behalf. Today, we appreciate the price of that sacrifice. At the same time, however, we should not forget the great good that Jesus’ sacrifice effected. After all, Resurrection Sunday is on the way.

Taken from http://christiancadre.blogspot.ca

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Does God Really Care About Holiness?

Dee Dee Wike — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:01:18 +0000

Sin has been the struggle of every man and woman since the serpent beguiled Eve in the garden. It didn’t take much persuasion for him to alter the destiny of every human being created in the image of God. There is a belief held among many Christians that the loving God who gave his only Son to forgive our sins, will forgive us even if we knowingly choose to sin, as long as we confess the sins we commit. But that isn’t quite how it works. Sure, God will forgive our sins if we confess and repent, or turn away from them. But, he also justly allows us to suffer the consequences of our sinful choices even when he forgives us for them.

God’s rules were not given to restrict us but to protect us from the inherent evil and dangers of living in a fallen world. His requirement that we be holy as he is holy wasn’t made to frustrate us, but to bring us to a place of peaceful, abundant living where our fellowship with him is unhindered by our sin. Only by walking in obedience to his Word can we experience the joy and fulfillment that he promises us. Trust me. I know what I am talking about because I tried to live life outside the boundaries of his righteous laws for a number of years and am still suffering residual consequences from my own sin.

You might wonder, Does God really care about holiness? Absolutely! It was a number of years before I understood the agony behind Christ’s words on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” For a brief moment, which to Christ must have seen like an eternity, his Father turned his face away from him because of our sin. He who knew no sin became sin for us and his holy Father could not bear to look upon that sin!

God loves you so much that he wants to spend eternity with you. While that is possible when you confess your sins and ask Christ to save you, you cheat yourself of the blessings of eternity while you are still on this earth. In other words, you can not live in the fullness of all that God has for you if you are steeped in sin and living life on your terms. Eternity doesn’t start the day you go to heaven; it begins the moment you receive Christ as Savior! So why would you want to do anything that would stand between you and the blessings of eternal life, especially on this earth?

It has taken decades for me to come to this realization for myself. I received Christ as a young child, then rededicated my life to him as a teenager. I studied his Word and was very active in my youth group during high school, but when I went away to college I began to drift away from God and indulge in the things my “freedom” and adulthood allowed me to do. I partied, saw movies that to this day have seared ungodly images into my mind, and spent my time with people who either didn’t know God or didn’t care to live as though they did. I lived with a tremendous amount of guilt and shame because I knew the truth, knew that God could see and was hurt by everything I did, yet chose to put him on the back burner while I exerted my rights as an individual. After college, my behavior only deteriorated more but God’s grace protected me from the full consequences of my sins, consequences which I deserved, because he knew that one day I would turn back to him in complete surrender. I didn’t escape without deep scars, however, and habits that I formed then always lurk in the background looking for an opportunity to resurface and ruin me for anything God might have for me to do.

I don’t know what pet sin you may be holding onto. Perhaps it is a relationship that you know God disapproves of or a tendency to eat or drink just a little too much. Or maybe you are prone to use profanity, thinking that a curse word or two here and there isn’t really that harmful. Or it could be that you simply complain a little too much about all that is wrong with the world and the people in it. What you do not realize is that every negative thing you say, every vile image you see with your eyes, and every seemingly innocent flirtatious gesture you make toward someone else’s spouse is a foothold you give the enemy and a wedge you drive between you and God. These are things we all struggle with, but God is swift to forgive and cleanse us from our sins if we will confess and turn away from them and walk in obedience to his Word.

Take it from one who has been there and done that. Drop your sin like a hot potato and run like crazy into the arms of Jesus. He was tempted in every way just as we are, yet was without sin. He understands the pull of this world and he is waiting to pull you into his arms and out of harm’s way. But he can only do his part if you do yours. With the power of his Holy Spirit living inside you, it is indeed possible to live fully surrendered and obedient to God’s Word. It won’t be easy, but believe me — it will be so worth it!

Storm Damage

Patricia Day — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:26:25 +0000

Isaiah 4:5b-6 – God’s own glory will be like a huge tent that covers everything. ⁶It will provide shade from the heat of the sun and a place of shelter and protection from storms and rain.

Late last year, a series of severe storms left our backyard and park area littered with broken limbs and , torn from two very large poplar trees in our garden. There were pieces many feet in length down to some just a matter of inches – large and small and all sizes in between. Fortunately no damage was caused to property or to humans, as these pieces were torn from the trees and slung out onto the lawn areas away from our homes and late in the day so people were indoors sheltered from the storm.

Much like sin; which enters our hearts and minds with a destructive force. It tears us apart, littering our spirits with the debris of wrong choices and bad-decisions, often leading us into lifestyles that destroy all that is good.

Exodus 18:19 – Listen now to My voice; I’ll give you counsel. (NKJV)

Isaiah 40:29 – The LORD gives strength to those who are weary. (CEV)

We might not always have the wisdom to live life without error – we after all, are not perfect beings; but we can choose to live differently by striving to be God-driven and Jesus-spirited. He is always ready to assist us and shelter us, if we call upon Him; and our footsteps can be guided by Jesus, Son of God in the everlasting Way.

Prayer: Father let us heed the signs you send when we are considering entering ‘stormy relationships and lifestyles’, gather us up, tidy our thinking and our actions, and let us grow more in Your image, standing erect and strong like a tree freed of all that is broken.

Patricia Day

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

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Wholesome and Clean

Patricia Day — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:42:02 +0000

Ezekiel 37:23b – I will wash away their sin and make them clean, and I will protect them from everything that makes them unclean. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (CEV)

There is a major house renovation going on close to where we live. Actually, it has been in progress for weeks and weeks – new roof, insulation, siding, windows, doors, sunroom and storage addition – a complete overhaul! I don’t know, because I have not seen inside, but I have to assume that there is a great deal of updating, repair and cleaning being addressed inside the home too: and I assume this due to the time it is taking to complete the work.

I recall when my husband and I, were looking for a home in this park, that we viewed one particular unit that was in a beautiful location, the price was amazing (it would have left a great deal of ‘spare’ cash for renovations) but the condition inside was nothing short of ‘disgusting’: how anyone could have lived in the home in the condition it was in, was beyond our comprehension.

We had agreed that we were willing to move into a house of our choice and do work while living there, but the filth and the updates needed in that particular house, were way too bad for us to even consider moving in and living there in – there was far too much to do to make it habitable.

When some people are challenged to give their lives to God and invite Jesus into their hearts, they recognize the truth that they have sinned before God. As a result, they want to clean up their lives before they issue an invitation to Jesus. They don’t yet understand that God comes into our lives to clean us up, precisely because we can’t do it for ourselves.

Isaiah 64:6a – But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. (NKJV)

The good news is that God loves us just as we are. So when we become willing to accept God into our lives, thankfully, He does not shun our dirty lives like we rejected that dirty home. He welcomes us and cleanses us. He does not leave us as we are, with our disparaging thoughts, our criticism of others, our idolatry of all things material, and all our major and minor sinful ways. This process is called “sanctification”.

Isaiah 1:16 – Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong. (CEV)

Just as the house we viewed had much to clean up before being habitable, so God needs to clean up our lives, thoughts, and actions, so that we become a true reflection of His Son, Jesus, in our hearts, minds, and spirits.

James 4:8 – Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can’t make up your mind. (CEV)

Prayer: Abba, make us aware of all that is in our lives, our thoughts, and our deeds, that is unworthy of Your presence within us. Wash us clean, and renew our spirits and hearts so that we are wholesome, presentable, and welcoming to all who look at us and the ways that we live. We want to be acceptable to You and winsome to them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs

Hariette Petersen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:32:16 +0000

Has someone hurt you? Have you been wronged? Have you done the best you know how to do and it still is not enough? If you are human and walking among other people in this world, then I’m fairly certain you can answer “yes” to each of these questions. As Christians we know we will encounter people who dislike us, who hate us, who will insult us if we are living a life for the glory of God. Our Savior forewarned us and told us that we are “blessed if we are persecuted” on His account. Mt. 5:11. Somehow it seems less shocking to have unbelievers who treat us wrongly. It’s life. It’s hardest for Christians when we endure rebuke, rebuffs, and anger from fellow Christians, or family. It’s hard sometimes to remember that love:

“…is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

This is the season when so many of us gather to be with family. Tradition bids us come together and celebrate. Yet, so often family members find themselves at odds with one another. Many times conflict arises that has nothing to do with who carves the turkey, who sits next to whom at the table, who is late for dinner, or gets the wishbone. Conflict comes from digging up bones from past grievances. From harbored anger. From unforgiven contention–sometimes decades old. Sometimes we come with the best of intentions. We vow to accept another’s irritating habits, to keep peace no matter what. Then something happens and it dredges up the previous hurt feelings. It’s time to let them go. It’s time to ask God for grace to forgive. For me to accomplish this, I center on the mercy the Lord has shown me. He does not count my past against me. I am forgiven from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9-10.

As we face the days ahead, I pray each wrong committed against us is quickly forgiven. Life is so very short. We show our love by not acting rudely, selfishly, or begrudgingly. Yes, I know others may act that way towards us. But we are not accountable for how others act, only ourselves. We show accountability by not keeping record of wrongs. May this be our sacrifice to a Savior who gave His all for our sin. © Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Oh, My Word! Did You Hear Why…

Hariette Petersen — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:16:42 +0000

he stopped coming to Sunday School? she quit working in the nursery? they are moving their membership? they removed their kids from youth activities? she wants nothing to do with the church anymore? Let me tell ya…

There’s a bevy of reasons why people do what they do. Legitimate reasons. And yes, some folk use anything as an excuse to do nothing. However, many come to churches today and see a white-washed extension of the world they want to escape. When people come to church, most seek a place of hope, of love, of kindness. They do not want a place filled with division, sniping, and whispers. They have plenty of people in their lives who pretend to care, who are judgmental and condemning. They need sincerity, acceptance and genuine love. Instead of Light, they see shadows of God’s love. The psalmist understood this all too well when he said:

“They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip,and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.” Psalm 41:6

Ever had that happen to you? Ever share your heartache, your burden, your failings with another in confidence, only to have them spread it all around?

It’s a sad thing when Christians carry tales and negativity. A faithful disciple of Jesus Christ resists the temptation to gossip and share tidbits of inflamatory or confidential information. Even when the information is true, it is not wise to share it with others. It hurts the body of Christ. It stomps on the toes of the Bride of Christ. It steps on the hem of her gown as she walks down the aisle to her Groom and tears apart the collective body of Believers. It stifles the fragrance of mercy and grace she carries in her bouquet. It clouds the radiance of her joy, love, and hope. It smothers the truth of God with a veil of deception and hindrance.

Gossip. Tale-bearing cloaked as sharing is gossip when one does not have another’s permission to share. It hurts. It crushes the spirit. It impedes Christian growth.

Have you found yourself as the target of gossip and whispers? I pray you find someone with whom you can feel safe. I pray you lean on them and do not allow one or two to destroy your faith in all. I pray you understand and know that people (even Christian people), are not God. Jesus loves you as you are. He will help you and keep you and give you strength to carry on in the midst of every trial you have. While you may not be able to trust some people, you can trust God.

Lord, help us not to fall prey to the baser qualities of our nature. Help us quench any desire to divulge knowledge that may harm the body of Christ and color His bride with talk that serves no good purpose. Let us prepare our hearts for the day of Your return and seek to walk humbly in Your sight until then.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Re-Establishing Our Boundaries

Dionna Sanchez — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:45:01 +0000

What do we partake in, in this life that is not wholesome and good? What things do we allow into our hearts, homes, and lives that is impure?

It’s so easy to make concessions in life. We rationalize that that movie won’t hurt to watch just one time or that “hit” music has a good beat so we can ignore the words. But instead, we are letting our guard down and starting to desensitize ourselves to right and wrong.

“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.” Psalm 101:3

If God does not or cannot approve anything that is vile and He will have no part in it – what does that mean for us if we choose to let it into our lives? We are supposed to stand out from the rest of the world. Be different. Set apart. If we listen to the same music, read the same books, wear the same clothes….how are we setting a standard? How are we setting boundaries for our lives that God would want for us?

I know it’s hard. I have to reevaluate where I stand…often. I’ve felt uneasy about certain decisions and then had to go back and tell my children that we were making a change and that I was doing it based on my morals and values. It’s so easy to go off the path that God has in mind for us.

I want God to look on me with approval. I want Him to take part in all that I do in my life. In order for that to happen, I have to let my faith not just take up a section in my heart, but invade it and flow out to every area of my life. It has to be the scope of which I filter everything that I take in.

We can rationalize and give in all we want to the things of this world. But God has clearly set the standard for our lives. It’s time to start regaining the territory we’ve allowed to be lost and realize that we are better off without listening to that music, wearing those outfits, or watching those things. It’s time we start feeling better about who we are as people; knowing that we are regaining a purity that has been so easily given away.

Vile is a strong word. Let’s not let anything into our homes or hearts that God could ever construe as vile. For if we do, we can’t expect Him to be a part of it….or of us.
~ Dionna Sanchez is a freelance writer. You can contact her at madetomom@yahoo.com.

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Bible Verses On Freedom

Hariette Petersen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:47:08 +0000

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.

Who tempts me?

Matthew Fry — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:05:32 +0000

“13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” – James 1:13

A few months ago we began a curriculum with the middle schools I work with that revolved around temptation. The series was kicked off by an individual we were hoping to train up in our ministry. There was a question about halfway through the lesson that asked the students “Where do temptations come from?” It shocked me when one of the students raised his hand and said “From God.” But, what was even more painful was that many around him agreed. I waited to see how the individual leading the discussion would handle the situation and he skirted around the uncomfortableness. There are sometimes in our lives where we are to correct incorrect theology and this was one of them.

We cannot blame God for the temptations in our lives. It is not God that tempts you to visit an inappropriate website. It is not God that tempts you to give in to an addiction. It is not God that gives you the idea to cheat on a test or paper. It is our selfish desires. It is our selfish desires to be in control. It is our selfish desires to experience physical pleasures. It is our selfish desires to be accepted that tempt us, not God.

Choosing NOT to Sin

Matthew Fry — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 20:23:14 +0000

“3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” -1 John 5:3-4

Growing up I was never the type of kid that caused a lot of trouble. For the most part I did what I was told and tried to do it to the best of my ability. I was, and still am, a homebody. So much so that my parents never had to set a curfew for me because I was never out past 10PM.

There was one time that I found myself standing in a shop and the only person in the shop was the owner of the store. He was taking some boxes out to his vehicle parked out front and I knew I was the only person in the store. I was pretty young and remember thinking that I was the only one in the shop and I could take anything and put it in my pocket and no one would ever know. The owner was gone for several minutes and I stood there contemplating whether to do it or not. I was just about ready to do it when the thought crossed my mind about how upset my parents would be if I got caught. So I didn’t.

An important part of the story is that I didn’t want to steal because I knew my parents loved me and they would be disappointed and hurt that I chose to steal. The same should be true with our spiritual lives as well. We should choose not to sin because we know how much God loves us, not because we’re afraid of getting caught.

There’s no sugar coating it; God knows when we mess up.

When we sin we’re caught every time. When shouldn’t choose not to sin because we’re afraid of the consequences, going to hell or getting punished. l chose not to steal because I loved my parents so much and I knew it would hurt them. When I apply the same way of thinking to my relationship with Christ it makes sinning a little more painful.

We Confess…He Forgives

Matthew Fry — Sun, 22 May 2011 05:00:00 +0000

“8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” -1 John 1:8-10

Sinner.

Even just the sound of the word makes us cringe. When you think of a sinner you probably think of an addict, a murderer or the person who cheats on their spouse more than their taxes.

It is easy for us to label those who are addicted to drugs or cheaters as sinners, but what about us? Maybe you don’t cheat on your taxes or spouse. Maybe you once were addicted to drugs, but have since kicked the habit.

The tiny pill to swallow is that we’re all sinners…

The hard pill to swallow is that there is no levels of sin…a sin is a sin.

We often pass judgment on the people we see sinning and think “I’d never do that.” and the truth is…you may be right. You may never struggle with a certain temptation or give into a certain sin, but we all have our forbidden fruit. We all have something that is larger than ourselves. Something that no matter how hard we try we cannot defeat it on our own, thus, our need for Jesus.

1 John 1 teaches…we confess….He forgives.

We all sin.

We all MUST confess.

We all NEED forgiveness.

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Choices Matter

Dee Dee Wike — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:39:54 +0000

“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NIV)

When God created man in his own image, he created us with a free will which enables us to make choices in life. We are not puppets in the hands of a divine puppeteer, but rather men and women with the capability and intelligence to make certain choices as we journey through life.

The Bible has much to say about making choices. We can choose whom we serve (Joshua 24:15), how to spend our time (Luke 10:42), and to pursue God’s wisdom and live according to his value system rather than the riches and value system of our society (Proverbs 16:16). For every choice we make, there is a reward or a consequence (Galatians 6:7).

In parenting my children, I have talked with them often about the choices they make and the effects those choices will have on their young lives, both now and in the days to come. I know from experience that the choices I make directly affect my character and the image of Christ others may see in me. The same can be said of all of us. The choices we make in life really do matter.

Just as God gives us the free will to choose to do things, He also gives us the power of the Holy Spirit not to do things that are contrary to his will and to the Word of God. There is no addiction he can’t deliver us from, no sin he can’t forgive. I know – I’ve lived with addiction and committed sins too numerous to count. We all face temptation, but the Bible tells us, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Here’s the catch, though – we must choose to take the way out that God provides. God supplies the power to resist sin and temptation, but the choice to resist them is strictly up to us.

What choices will you make today? Ask God for wisdom to make the right choices and the courage to trust and obey Him in all things.