WHAT SIN?

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"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1)

There may be times when we forget what Jesus did for us on that cross. We may wonder if it’s enough to erase every awful thing we’ve done, thought, or said. The Bible states very clearly that it is. The blood He shed (and I do mean this figuratively) completely cleared us of everything in our past. Have you heard the song: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus…” Well, it’s the truth.

Imagine God looking down at the world. All He sees is sin. We are sinners from birth and it’s in our nature to continue sinning throughout our lives. Let’s say He looks closer, zooming in on each individual, and says, “What have I done? This is a disaster.” So God raises a hand to destroy us, but suddenly Jesus steps in front of Him and tells him to stop.

“Wait,” He says, and extends both arms. “Remember what I did?” Then Jesus tells His father, “Look at them through Me.”

When we repent—when we are truly sorry for everything we’ve done, how our life has been spent, and we ask for forgiveness—God gives it to us. And the moment he forgives us, the most wonderful thing happens…He forgets. He forgets all of our past. It’s like we’ve literally been born again. Our slate is wiped clean.

He is looking at us through Jesus now.

It’s harder for us, as humans, to forget. Sometimes we can be our own worst critic. I encourage you all to stop the next time your conscious tries to bring your past to mind. Stop, and remember, that God sees none of that. You can bring up the worst thing you’ve ever done…the one thing that is still bugging you…and He’ll simply ask:

“What sin?”

God Bless.

HERE AM I

As believers, we have a responsibility to tell the world that God is real. To share His love with those who need it, those who haven't heard about the grace He offers.

This could mean doing the unthinkable--abandoning the familiar to devote your life to this one thing. But not everyone is called to do this. That still doesn't mean the rest of us can assume we are exempt.

If you are called to spread God's word to the world then do it whole hearted.

Lay it all down and run after His plan for you with a passion. It doesn't matter what people think or say. Your own family might call you crazy...Irresponsible. Don't listen to them. God knows what He is doing and He would never call you to do something you couldn't do. It might--it will--be hard. There will be pain, heartache, tears and sometimes you'll wonder if you are even up to the task. Hold steady, hang on, and trust in HIM.

For those of us who have not been chosen to pick up that cross, we can't just sit around and do nothing.

If you're wondering how on earth someone like you can spread God's word...It's not as difficult as you think.

It could be something as simple as volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

Staying after to pray with someone at your church.

Saying God bless you to even a complete stranger.

Not just when they sneeze.

We are sometimes so programmed to say certain things at certain times that we don't realize how little we reference God in our everyday lives.

Why not say thank God, when someone says thank you?

Even something as small as that can catch someones attention.

And let's not forget the other way we can tell someone about God. Can you guess?

Actions speak louder than words.

If you claim to be a Christian, then live it. Your very life can be a tool to minister.

Food for thought.

Until next time.

God Bless

GOD IS GOOD...SO WHY IS THERE SUFFERING?

This my friends, is the question...or the argument...that people often use when talking about God.

"If your God is so good then why do bad things happen?"

"Why doesn't he just make the suffering go away?"

God doesn't make bad things happen. He isn't some big spiritual being on a power trip. But yes, He does permit certain things to happen.

What happens when our child gets sick? Or hurt?

We take them to the doctor, of course. Sometimes however, that trip to the doctor can end up being a painful or traumatic one depending on the sickness or injury. Yet, as parents, we permit our children to endure these things because we know that it is neccessary. It will benefit them in the end.

At the time, the child is probably wondering why his/her parents aren't doing anything to stop it and perhaps feels betrayed. After all, they trust their parents. It is their duty to keep them safe.

But just like we don't enjoy seeing our children suffer, God does not enjoy watching us suffer.

And because only He knows the greater good at the end of our trial, we might feel as though He has abandoned us.

Without suffering, there would be no compassion.

I love when people use this quote. Sometimes I wonder if they even know what it means.

To have compassion, you need to empathy. That comes when you can place yourself in someone else's shoes and really feel what they feel...and feel for them. That is where compassion comes in. And unfortunately, this is where some sort of trial has happened. Whether it's cancer or losing a job. Being in a car accident, or watching a loved one destroy themselves. God doesn't allow things to happen without good reason, but it's very hard for us to see what good can come of our situation when we are drowning in it.

That's why we must trust God.

It isn't easy. No way.

And I know about half of you that read this will scoff and pass me off as just another Jesus freak who expects you to be perfectly rational and calm whenever something bad happens to you.

Hey--even I freak out.

I'm just trying to give you all some food for thought.

Let me leave you with an example of suffering for the greater good.

One of the world's greatest evils was the day we killed Jesus.

We killed the man who was meant to save us.

But it was through this wretched act that our salvation was ensured.

God turned what was meant for evil...into good. Even though we were to blame.
Perhaps we will never truly see the greater outcome for our suffering until the day we meet Him face to face. But until then, we must try.

God Bless

A FRESH START

With all this talk about starting fresh because of the new year that lies before us, it's a wonderful feeling knowing that this is sort of like a clean slate. That we can learn from the mistakes we made last year and do things right this time. And perhaps this is also a time when some of us are looking at our life up to this point and wondering if maybe...just maybe...it's time for a change.

You used to be faithful. You used to believe in God...went to church and really were a changed man/woman but somewhere along the way you just changed right back.

Or you are a believer. It's just that this last year was really hard for you and you struggled. Struggled in your faith, your every day life. Maybe even struggled with your beliefs because it seemed that no matter how hard you tried things just kept spiraling downward and it didn't feel like you could ever be up again.

Maybe you don't even believe in--anything. Maybe you're just looking to see what's out there. Something inside is bothering you. Like you just know there has to be something greater out there than what the media likes to go on and on about. Because honestly, all that other stuff you tried just didn't cut it.
Then let me challenge you.

Here it is.

Forget.

Yes, that's right. Forget it all.

Forget all those times you swore you were going to get up early that next Sunday and go to church but instead spent the day in your pajamas, lounging around the house while watching football.

Forget the friend in need you turned away because you forgot the time when they helped you out.

Forget the cuss words that, unfortunately, were the first things to come out of your mouth.

Forget the snide remarks you said or thought about that person passing by.

Forget the money you stole.

Forget the lies you told.

And yes...forget the good.

Forget the times you stayed after service to pray for someone.

Forget the amount of time you spent on raising money for that charity.

Forget all the people you helped when they needed it.

Why?

Because honestly...we are on the same page.

Romans 3:10 tells us that nobody is righeous. Not a single one.

James 2:10 says that someone who is trying to keep all of God's law but messes up once--just once!--is just as guilty as if he/she'd messed up the entire time.

Kinda gives you a whole new perspective on everything, doesn't it?

So going back to my original point and challenge: Forgetting.

Forget it all.

It's a brand new year...what better time for a fresh start?

It's easy to think we aren't worthy. That we don't deserve another chance. I mean come one--how much can God really take, right? How many times is He going to forgive me when I just keep failing at this 'Christian' thing?

Um...as long as it takes.

We aren't perfect and He knows that. But that is why He tells us to trust in Him to lead the way.

Oh it's definitely hard. And yup...we are going to stumble more than once. Way more than once.

Ever hear the saying: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak?

I encourage you not to dwell on it. When you trip, reach out and take God's hand. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and KEEP GOING.

So right now I'd like for you all to get a picture in your mind of your life.
Think of it, hmm, as a picture. :)

A really dark, dirty picture with nasty smears of colors everywhere. Add some lovely pinks and yellows here and there...sure...but most of it is pretty wrong looking. Unless you are Picasso, nobody is going to buy that painting from you.
Now imagine God coming along and dumping a gallon of paint all over that 'life' of yours.

He looks at you and says, "Fix it. I want it."

Sure, He could just as easily remove that painting and give you a blank canvas to start fresh but that's not the point. The point is that God knows every dirty, awful, detail that lies beneath that paint. He knows it and is still willing to buy it from you. Why? Because He is giving you a second chance to get that painting right.

And guess what?

We are learning from THE Picasso Himself.

Life is hard. Sometimes it sucks. I won't lie to you.

But if we try to follow God...I mean really try...your life can become a beautiful masterpiece.

I leave you with this:
Take the time to (if you have one) look at the list of resolutions you've made up for this year. Take a good long look.

Then tear it up.

Most resolutions result from remembering all the things you didn't do or did wrong.

So tear it up. Then look at God.

Ask Him where He wants you to go.

God Bless


‎"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6