"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
God has so thoroughly removed your sin from you, the distance is described with the largest measurement the world has to offer. If there was a distance on earth, farther than the East from the West it would have been used here. The simple fact is that we do not have words to describe how completely God has forgiven His children.
Your salvation is based on your acceptance of the greatest sacrifice ever offered. The shear magnitude of the price paid at Calvary makes the obliteration of your sin the only feasible outcome. The cross was love's nuclear weapon. Your sin has been destroyed. Nothing of what you have done remains.
How else could scripture truthfully say that God, who is omnipotent, has forgotten you ever committed the offense? God, who sees all and knows all, does not remember your sin (Isaiah 43:25)...has there ever been a more glorious statement?
The enemy is called the "father of lies" and your guilt is his biggest one. He wants you to believe you are damaged...you have a stain...you can never be clean. But when you again ask God to forgive the same offense, God by His own decree, is unaware of what you are talking about. All He sees is a child standing in the righteousness of Christ.
Don't cheapen the sacrifice by doubting its potency. It is finished. There is no stain, no blemish and you are free to enter His glory, and rest in His love.
Live today free in the justification that was purchased at so high a price. Hate the sin that made it necessary, but know the blood of Christ has emptied sin of its strength. What we confess, and repent of is gone. Not hidden, not reduced....gone. Stop carrying it around with you, and walk free in His amazing grace.
“If God has justified a man it is well done, it is rightly done, it is justly done, it is everlastingly done.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 6/20/2017*24*
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Your pain has purpose.
It allows God to comfort you, and it makes you better at comforting others. Struggles and difficulties equip us to do our job.
Great military leaders, are those who have been in the firefight and can assure their troops that there is a way to survive the battle, and defeat the enemy. The same is true of Christians.
Our scars are validation that we can lead others through the war. When you see a decorated veteran you know two things: he survived the battle, and he didn't quit. You know you can count on him to have your back. Your scars tell other Christians the same thing. So train yourself to count the battles as joy, and realize their value, and use your experience to bless others.
The key is focus. No athlete trains without their mind set on the benefits. How difficult would workouts be if just getting through them was the goal? Instead you run one more sprint, or lift one more repetition, because you are pursuing the results, the benefits, the victories.
Today approach your trials as workouts. Not trying to avoid them, but knowing God will carry you through them. Concentrate on the fact the God will use these times to give you endurance and equip you to build His Kingdom. It wont take the pain away, but it will change the focus and give you the strength to endure.
There are no problems in Heaven today, only plans. God is working in these circumstances to accomplish the mission He has for you. Trust Him and take the next step.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
- Joseph, to his brothers who sold him into slavery (Genesis 50:20)
Your pain has purpose.
It allows God to comfort you, and it makes you better at comforting others. Struggles and difficulties equip us to do our job.
Great military leaders, are those who have been in the firefight and can assure their troops that there is a way to survive the battle, and defeat the enemy. The same is true of Christians.
Our scars are validation that we can lead others through the war. When you see a decorated veteran you know two things: he survived the battle, and he didn't quit. You know you can count on him to have your back. Your scars tell other Christians the same thing. So train yourself to count the battles as joy, and realize their value, and use your experience to bless others.
The key is focus. No athlete trains without their mind set on the benefits. How difficult would workouts be if just getting through them was the goal? Instead you run one more sprint, or lift one more repetition, because you are pursuing the results, the benefits, the victories.
Today approach your trials as workouts. Not trying to avoid them, but knowing God will carry you through them. Concentrate on the fact the God will use these times to give you endurance and equip you to build His Kingdom. It wont take the pain away, but it will change the focus and give you the strength to endure.
There are no problems in Heaven today, only plans. God is working in these circumstances to accomplish the mission He has for you. Trust Him and take the next step.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
- Joseph, to his brothers who sold him into slavery (Genesis 50:20)
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
John 14:6 6/13/2017*17*
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
This is what Jesus said about Himself. It was not a sales pitch, it was not sensitive, and it was not vague. In fact it was so politically incorrect that it culminated in His execution.
Those who argue that all religions lead to the same god will find this offensive...and yet it is clear, concise, and from the mouth of Jesus.
To disagree you must assume that God allowed His own Son to brutally die for our sins when it wasn't necessary. You must conclude that there is more than one way to salvation. And with these words, Jesus makes it clear there is not.
He is the way. Without Him you are lost.
He is the truth. Anything that opposes Him is a lie.
He is the life. Without Him you die in your sin.
No one comes to God except through Christ. Period.
Some take offense, and ask why God would restrict our salvation to only one path?....The better question is, why did He give us a path at all? Why did He sacrifice His Son to purchase us back after we chose to rebel?... and the answer to that question is incomprehensible love.
But Jesus was not a politician. He was not trying to win approval with His statement. His words were not meant to offend, or appease...they are simply the truth. Your choice is to accept or deny, and that choice, will determine your eternal destiny.
It is time to abandon illogical arguments. What Jesus said is either true, or it is not, there is no middle ground. If it is true, it requires a life changing response.
Give up the idea that you can somehow earn your righteousness, and instead humbly accept God's gift of grace through faith. Jesus alone will show you the way, teach you the truth, and lead you to eternal life.
"God in his infinite mercy has devised a way by which justice can be satisfied, and yet mercy can be triumphant." - Charles Spurgeon
This is what Jesus said about Himself. It was not a sales pitch, it was not sensitive, and it was not vague. In fact it was so politically incorrect that it culminated in His execution.
Those who argue that all religions lead to the same god will find this offensive...and yet it is clear, concise, and from the mouth of Jesus.
To disagree you must assume that God allowed His own Son to brutally die for our sins when it wasn't necessary. You must conclude that there is more than one way to salvation. And with these words, Jesus makes it clear there is not.
He is the way. Without Him you are lost.
He is the truth. Anything that opposes Him is a lie.
He is the life. Without Him you die in your sin.
No one comes to God except through Christ. Period.
Some take offense, and ask why God would restrict our salvation to only one path?....The better question is, why did He give us a path at all? Why did He sacrifice His Son to purchase us back after we chose to rebel?... and the answer to that question is incomprehensible love.
But Jesus was not a politician. He was not trying to win approval with His statement. His words were not meant to offend, or appease...they are simply the truth. Your choice is to accept or deny, and that choice, will determine your eternal destiny.
It is time to abandon illogical arguments. What Jesus said is either true, or it is not, there is no middle ground. If it is true, it requires a life changing response.
Give up the idea that you can somehow earn your righteousness, and instead humbly accept God's gift of grace through faith. Jesus alone will show you the way, teach you the truth, and lead you to eternal life.
"God in his infinite mercy has devised a way by which justice can be satisfied, and yet mercy can be triumphant." - Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Philippians 2:17 6/6/2017*10*
"But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you."
Are we this unconcerned with receiving credit for our good deeds? Even workers dedicated and consistent in their service can struggle with motivation.
Well meaning compliments, social media accolades, and peer approval can be distracting.
But Paul says that even if his life is seen only as a secondary offering, poured out to enhance the main offering of other's ... he will rejoice with them.
This is the litmus test of your ministry... Do you need the spotlight?
The group that Jesus most harshly rebuked was the pharisees and religious hypocrites, who used God's work, to bring attention to themselves.
So the question is are you content to remain anonymous when you serve?
The answer to that question dramatically impacts your effectiveness.
"Dying to yourself" and "living for Christ" it is not poetic language ... it is a requirement if you want to be used by God. Understanding what Christ has done for us removes the necessity of accolades, as well as the need for any motivation other than gratitude.
The real "all-stars" at your church may not have titles, and probably haven't been introduced to the congregation. They set up chairs, care for children in the nursery, and clean up after fellowships. They donate money they don't have, to help people who have even less, and are often almost invisible to earthly eyes.
They seem like regular members of the church but if they become aware of a need in your life, they will show up to meet that need, and then they will be gone again, off to the next secret service project.
The best way to find them is to look for the brightest smiles in your congregation ... Their joy gives them away, because they have figured it out.
It is a simple decision really. Choose to serve others because God loves them, and you love them. When you do that, and they prosper, you become their biggest fan, thrilled to be a "drink offering" poured out to enhance their ministry.
Join God's "Secret Service", and see how much you can do for others without being noticed...your smile will give you away.
"Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others."
- Helen Keller
Are we this unconcerned with receiving credit for our good deeds? Even workers dedicated and consistent in their service can struggle with motivation.
Well meaning compliments, social media accolades, and peer approval can be distracting.
But Paul says that even if his life is seen only as a secondary offering, poured out to enhance the main offering of other's ... he will rejoice with them.
This is the litmus test of your ministry... Do you need the spotlight?
The group that Jesus most harshly rebuked was the pharisees and religious hypocrites, who used God's work, to bring attention to themselves.
So the question is are you content to remain anonymous when you serve?
The answer to that question dramatically impacts your effectiveness.
"Dying to yourself" and "living for Christ" it is not poetic language ... it is a requirement if you want to be used by God. Understanding what Christ has done for us removes the necessity of accolades, as well as the need for any motivation other than gratitude.
The real "all-stars" at your church may not have titles, and probably haven't been introduced to the congregation. They set up chairs, care for children in the nursery, and clean up after fellowships. They donate money they don't have, to help people who have even less, and are often almost invisible to earthly eyes.
They seem like regular members of the church but if they become aware of a need in your life, they will show up to meet that need, and then they will be gone again, off to the next secret service project.
The best way to find them is to look for the brightest smiles in your congregation ... Their joy gives them away, because they have figured it out.
It is a simple decision really. Choose to serve others because God loves them, and you love them. When you do that, and they prosper, you become their biggest fan, thrilled to be a "drink offering" poured out to enhance their ministry.
Join God's "Secret Service", and see how much you can do for others without being noticed...your smile will give you away.
"Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others."
- Helen Keller
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)