Tag Archive for: sins
Freedom in the Lord
I am a work in progress. It’s good to know that this body with all its inferiority, sin, and weaknesses is not a finished product. I’ve still got a long ways to go. A work in progress. Plus, I can be encouraged with the fact that I’ve got God on my side helping, molding, weaving all the good and bad experiences into a pleasing tapestry. Whew! Good to know.
With the knowledge does not mean that I should feel free to sin all the more or continue to repeat the same dumb mistakes. On the contrary. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I need to strive to do good — to be and do what my Heavenly Father desires of me.
How does that look in real life? If I see a brother or sister in need, I should go to him and offer my help if I can. When my tongue tends gets away from me or I’m inclined to say unkind things about someone, maybe I should listen more and speak less.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” — 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18.
“And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (NLT).
Are you becoming more and more like God or more and more like someone God wouldn’t recognize?
More and more like the Savior I would be. More like him every day.
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Jesus: the Reason for the Season (part II)
My preparations for the season (so far) consist of running here and there while wearing myself out. I’ve carved so little free time out to just sit and contemplate the real reason for the season. It is Jesus’ birthday and He is the reason for the season. 
I’m pretty sure the God who sent his Son to die on the cross for our sins is less than pleased when I turn the Christmas season into a chaotic competition. Jesus’ birth in a non-descript stable caused angels to sing and shepherds to follow a star. All of heaven rejoiced at the birth which changed the course of mankind forever.
Dear God, please forgive me for being so occupied with my own agenda that I fail to acknowledge the giver of the most perfect gift of all. I’m sure glad you weren’t too busy to think of me. Thank you for sending your son to die in my place and for those who believe on your name.
How about you? Are you taking time during this hectic month to thank God for the indescribable gift in the form of God’s only Son?
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)
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Wanting just a little bit more – (Part II)
Wise King Solomon wrote, “I said to myself, ‘Let’s go for it — experiment with pleasure, have a good time!’ But there was nothing to it, nothing but smoke” – Ecclesiastes 2:1 (The Message).
That’s the trouble with taking matters into our own (incapable) hands. At first, it seems innocent enough but often with that first step begins a slippery, spiraling slope downward deeper and deeper. Deeper into frustration, guilt, anger, sorrow, and sin. In the end (and often along the way) a person is worse off than when they began to look and dream imaginatively about the object or person once craved. Life does not become better — just more complicated and people are hurt in the process.
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” — Ecclesiastes 2:10–11.
Been there and done that. There are times I wished I could take back the words uttered and the acts done. Trouble is: I cannot go backwards. My only choice is to move forward and forget the past. With forgetting the past comes asking God’s forgiveness for trying to run the show and do things my way. If only I had waited, God would have provided security, love, peace and confidence. I do have a choice: I can say I’m sorry to God and ask him to guide me next time. He’ll do that for me and for you. All we need do is call on him.
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Letting go
I spotted my old Jeep in the grocery store parking lot. I’ll admit the sighting was bittersweet. Yes, I do miss her, but I also love my new Ford Flex. Out with the old, and in with the new.
Sweet part: I spied a “U.S. Army Retired” sticker on the back window. This made my lips and heart smile.
I wrestled with letting go of my comfortable yellow Jeep. I loved that Jeep and she had provided many happy times for our family. Yet, for practical purposes, my husband and I needed to look for a vehicle with more storage and people capacity.
Sometimes in my personal life I desperately cling to old habits and old desires. Stuff I know I should be letting go of in order to move on with my life. It may be a wrongful desire of something someone else has and I do not. I rationalize to myself that I deserve such and such. Big or little, this covetousness prevents me from progress and from becoming holy in God’s sight. Deep down, I know I need to relinquish that sinful thought or deed.
Ask: Is there something (or someone) that you know should not be a present in your life? Can you confess it to the all-hearing and all-knowing God and start fresh today?
“put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24).
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Faithful is He
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23).
Today is a brand-new day. A day of new beginnings, a new start, and a chance to do good and glorify God. Yesterday and its disappointments are gone. I start fresh today. God promised he removed my sins “as far as the east is from the west,” (Psalm 103:12). So if God forgives and forgets, why can’t I?
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.” (Lamentations 3:19). Yes, my soul is downcast, but not due to any negligence from God, but because I allowed negative emotions to dwell within my mind. If I allow bitterness, I will remain in the state of hopelessness. I do have hope. Hope wins. God is willing to pick me up out of the dredges, dust me off, and set my feet on the proper path again.
Prayer: Dear God, I’m ready to return to you, my safe refuge and fortress. Thank you for watching out for me and my best interests. No one else on earth is capable of doing this for me.
Ask: Is there a root of bitterness or anger that festers within your soul? Maybe it’s a grumbling attitude that’s eating away at the core of your joy. Are you willing to trust God to eradicate those negative emotions?
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