Sunday, July 29, 2007
Whiter Than Snow
Come now, let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet,they shall be as white as snow; though they are as crimson,they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
On the day of my conversion, this verse lingered in my heart. He impressed on my soul the whiter than snow illustration. Sin, that scarlet, crimson nature of the soul, now cleansed...new... whiter than snow. Thank you Lord, for the sacrificial gift, for your blood that cleanses the sin sick soul.
That verse also lingered today as I read Psalms and Proverbs. I asked God today to give me something to share. As usual, several verses came to view. The Word always ministers to me, corrects me and leads me. Here are a few to share with you. I believe, whoever you are, that the order of these verses will minister to your heart because I asked.
Prov 29:1 One who refuses to respond to many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
If the Lord is dealing with us on a decision, a sin, a pivotal point in our life, listen to Him. Submit, repent and follow His lead for the wrong direction can and will destroy us without remedy (as long as there is breath in our body, there is always a remedy).
Prov 28:10 He who leads the upright into evil will fall into his own trap. but the upright will receive a good inheritance.
Once again, the upright escape evil. Even when led astray they receive that inheritance. What is the inheritance? In this case, what Satan meant for evil, God means for good. Note too that the person who does evil gets what he dishes out. Who are the candidates for evil? Any one who chooses to do evil. ( yes even Christians.)Who are the upright? Those who wear the righteousness of Christ, a gift given to His children....us.
Prov. 28:13 He who conceals sin will not prosper, but one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
God is so faithful. He reveals sin through the Holy Spirit living in us. Confession is to agree with God about our sin, renouncing sin is repentance... turning around and going the other direction.
Psalms 147:5 Great is our God and Mighty is His power. His understanding has no limits.
There is no sin, wrong thought or action that surprises God. He understands us and this verse says His understanding has no limits. He knows how we got there and knows how we feel. He understands us, accepts and asks us to come to Him.
Psalms 147:11 The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.
What can I say. He is in love with us, His children. He knows what is best. The best is trust, hope, surrender...to give our lives over to His protection, direction and love. Relax, let Him do what He does best....be God.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Regenerated
John 3:3-6; Col 1: 21-22, 2:9-10; 2 Cor: 5:21; Heb. 7:26-28, 10:4,10; Eph. 1:4, 2:6; 1 John 1:7; 1 Cor. 6:11;
I wanted to give you several verses today about regeneration. The state of right standing with God that takes place when you become a Christian. By that I mean, if you have had that moment with God, the moment when you personally come to Him, confess your sin and ask Him into your life as Savior and Lord, you are now a Christian. That one moment began a good work in your heart that changed you forever, placed you into the family of God and regenerated you for all eternity.
When you read the scriptures note that you are referred to as the Righteous, a Saint. Now don't panic, especially if your background is Catholic. The word Saint does not refer to someone who has sacrificed their life or did some huge holy thing to be holy. Though those actions are commendable when directed by Christ, they do not clean the heart or make us holy. Christ is the only person who can do that for us, and He did that at the cross. I am referring to the titles given to us when we invite Christ into our lives. Granted we do not deserve these titles for most of us do not live without sin. But God through forgiveness and grace gave us this honor because of what Christ did for us at Calvary.
Even though we sin and often live self centered lives, we are called righteous. Christ is perfect and He lives inside us. His righteousness becomes a permanent part of who we are now and forever. Thus iniquity, wickedness and evil no longer exists in us. Why? Because a supernatural moment took place, when we invited Christ to be in our lives. This moment is called regeneration, born again, circumcision. We became new creations. The old sinful nature, iniquity, died when the old way of thinking was cut out of the heart. God placed Himself, His nature, His life into us. We are new, changed, alive. We are Righteous, Saints.( Read Bob George, Steve McVey or Victorious Christian Living books.)
The reason I bring this to you today is because of Psalms 37. Please read it sometime. The passage refers to the wicked and iniquity often. It also refers to the Righteous. Remember you are the Righteous if Christ lives in you. 1 John 5:12-13.
I wanted to give you several verses today about regeneration. The state of right standing with God that takes place when you become a Christian. By that I mean, if you have had that moment with God, the moment when you personally come to Him, confess your sin and ask Him into your life as Savior and Lord, you are now a Christian. That one moment began a good work in your heart that changed you forever, placed you into the family of God and regenerated you for all eternity.
When you read the scriptures note that you are referred to as the Righteous, a Saint. Now don't panic, especially if your background is Catholic. The word Saint does not refer to someone who has sacrificed their life or did some huge holy thing to be holy. Though those actions are commendable when directed by Christ, they do not clean the heart or make us holy. Christ is the only person who can do that for us, and He did that at the cross. I am referring to the titles given to us when we invite Christ into our lives. Granted we do not deserve these titles for most of us do not live without sin. But God through forgiveness and grace gave us this honor because of what Christ did for us at Calvary.
Even though we sin and often live self centered lives, we are called righteous. Christ is perfect and He lives inside us. His righteousness becomes a permanent part of who we are now and forever. Thus iniquity, wickedness and evil no longer exists in us. Why? Because a supernatural moment took place, when we invited Christ to be in our lives. This moment is called regeneration, born again, circumcision. We became new creations. The old sinful nature, iniquity, died when the old way of thinking was cut out of the heart. God placed Himself, His nature, His life into us. We are new, changed, alive. We are Righteous, Saints.( Read Bob George, Steve McVey or Victorious Christian Living books.)
The reason I bring this to you today is because of Psalms 37. Please read it sometime. The passage refers to the wicked and iniquity often. It also refers to the Righteous. Remember you are the Righteous if Christ lives in you. 1 John 5:12-13.
The Kings Child
The kings child, stolen by thieves, was raised as a slave and forced to live in poverty. The child had no memory of his heritage. One day, he left to fend for himself. After a haircut, the seal on his forehead revealed who he was to all. Everyone bowed before him.
"Why do you bow before me, I am but a peasant."
"But sir, you bear the Kings seal."
Tell me. Do you think this Child of the King ate from the garbage can again? Do you think he continued to steal and live a peasants life? No, he lived like a child of the King.
We are Children of the King. We bear His seal. If the King says we are Righteous, Saints, then we are Righteous and Saints. Do you think we will want to continue eating garbage and living in iniquity? Of course not we will want to live like Children of the King.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Anatomy of Sin
James 1: 13-15; I Cor. 10:13
In Teach Me Lord I describe the victory we have over Satan's fiery darts in a lesson called His Victory. I call it His Victory because there is nothing we can do to attain salvation and nothing we can do to maintain salvation except to turn our lives over to Christ. His mercy and grace saves us and provides any and all victory we will ever experience. He must live His life through us before we see change in our lives. That requires faith. (Here is my life, Lord...help.)
In church this week I heard the old familiar verse from I Cor 10:13. You know, the one that says all temptations are common to everyone. That God will in that temptation provide an escape so you can stand up under it. To me that means: when a temptation to sin comes God provides an escapee to avoid the sin and thus not sin. It also says that it will not seize you, that it will not be beyond your ability to resist or overcome for He will provide that escape.
Well.... obviously we all sin. We are not perfect and we all sin. It's okay you can admit it, I do. So that means we did not take the escape or did not find it or felt overpowered by sin or something...right?
I, in quiet that morning, remembered a sin that overpowered me. I remember saying, at that time, this verse is not true. I felt totally helpless and incapable of resistance to the sin. I knew the word, had walked with Him for years, led others in the way, taught classes, gave speeches. So.. I asked God... what happened?
Should have asked much sooner. The answer, obvious, yet overlooked. You see there is an anatomy to sin. It is found in James 1:13-15. I'd read that a thousand times but when the sin or temptation visits, you're not thinking about James.
The Anatomy of Sin
God does not tempt to sin
Each of us is tempted by our own desires
We are dragged away and enticed.
That desire is conceived
Once conceived sin is birthed
It grows
Then it is too late to escape.
So where is the escape? When does God provide the escape He promised? This is when. Sin happens in the mind. Remember when Jesus said lust in the heart was sin, that hate was the same as murder, (gossip and slander are also the same as murder). These and all other sins happen in the mind. Once the mind entertains those thoughts our own desires drag and entice us to give birth to sin in actions. But in actuality the sin already happened in the mind. Once again we must protect our minds.
What we allow our eyes to look upon and our minds to think about is important. Psalms encourages us to pray... let the thoughts of my mind and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you Lord.
That's what happens. The escape is through our thoughts. We need to protect our mind. We've been warned often that the battlefield is in the mind 1 Cor 10: 4-5. Satan places lies and deceptions in our mind, but the victory is ours. God tells us what to think on and asks us to take the escape He provides.
What is your anatomy to sin? Where are you tempted? What is the process that leads to the enticement that drags you through desire? Why does it tempt you? What thought process takes place? We are all temped, that's not the sin. It is common to us all but when sin is birthed and placed in play the pain of death takes place. We, as Christians, can not get away with sin for that horrible pain called death is foreign to the life now in us. Sin is enjoyable for a time but there is a morning after.
Think about making a list of verses for your thoughts, truths to meditate on and say aloud when that deception comes your way. Maybe a journal of God's word that speaks to your heart. He may already be pointing to the escape route before the enemy tempts you to sin. A road map of verses that say: My son, My daughter come this way, avoid that obvious trap that drags you down, that entices you through your desires.
In Teach Me Lord I describe the victory we have over Satan's fiery darts in a lesson called His Victory. I call it His Victory because there is nothing we can do to attain salvation and nothing we can do to maintain salvation except to turn our lives over to Christ. His mercy and grace saves us and provides any and all victory we will ever experience. He must live His life through us before we see change in our lives. That requires faith. (Here is my life, Lord...help.)
In church this week I heard the old familiar verse from I Cor 10:13. You know, the one that says all temptations are common to everyone. That God will in that temptation provide an escape so you can stand up under it. To me that means: when a temptation to sin comes God provides an escapee to avoid the sin and thus not sin. It also says that it will not seize you, that it will not be beyond your ability to resist or overcome for He will provide that escape.
Well.... obviously we all sin. We are not perfect and we all sin. It's okay you can admit it, I do. So that means we did not take the escape or did not find it or felt overpowered by sin or something...right?
I, in quiet that morning, remembered a sin that overpowered me. I remember saying, at that time, this verse is not true. I felt totally helpless and incapable of resistance to the sin. I knew the word, had walked with Him for years, led others in the way, taught classes, gave speeches. So.. I asked God... what happened?
Should have asked much sooner. The answer, obvious, yet overlooked. You see there is an anatomy to sin. It is found in James 1:13-15. I'd read that a thousand times but when the sin or temptation visits, you're not thinking about James.
The Anatomy of Sin
God does not tempt to sin
Each of us is tempted by our own desires
We are dragged away and enticed.
That desire is conceived
Once conceived sin is birthed
It grows
Then it is too late to escape.
So where is the escape? When does God provide the escape He promised? This is when. Sin happens in the mind. Remember when Jesus said lust in the heart was sin, that hate was the same as murder, (gossip and slander are also the same as murder). These and all other sins happen in the mind. Once the mind entertains those thoughts our own desires drag and entice us to give birth to sin in actions. But in actuality the sin already happened in the mind. Once again we must protect our minds.
What we allow our eyes to look upon and our minds to think about is important. Psalms encourages us to pray... let the thoughts of my mind and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you Lord.
That's what happens. The escape is through our thoughts. We need to protect our mind. We've been warned often that the battlefield is in the mind 1 Cor 10: 4-5. Satan places lies and deceptions in our mind, but the victory is ours. God tells us what to think on and asks us to take the escape He provides.
What is your anatomy to sin? Where are you tempted? What is the process that leads to the enticement that drags you through desire? Why does it tempt you? What thought process takes place? We are all temped, that's not the sin. It is common to us all but when sin is birthed and placed in play the pain of death takes place. We, as Christians, can not get away with sin for that horrible pain called death is foreign to the life now in us. Sin is enjoyable for a time but there is a morning after.
Think about making a list of verses for your thoughts, truths to meditate on and say aloud when that deception comes your way. Maybe a journal of God's word that speaks to your heart. He may already be pointing to the escape route before the enemy tempts you to sin. A road map of verses that say: My son, My daughter come this way, avoid that obvious trap that drags you down, that entices you through your desires.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Saved
Psalms 32
Often I've wondered about well used phrases we all read or say. They become old-hat. Even to the point where they either loose meaning or are accepted with no thought.
Love for example, we say I love that car or I love how they talk or I love you. If you noticed, each I love has different meanings, different depth. Yet we still use I Love in each phrase till love begins to be old-hat and looses its depth.
Other such phrases came to me today. Like... they say... or pray for peace...or saved.
They say refers to things that most people agree on; even though there is no such person as they.
Pray for peace. I first saw that one at age 10 during the 50's. I remember then, as a child thinking...why do we need to pray for peace? Now as an adult I see. America and every other place in the world needs peace, personally and nationally.
Saved is a phrase we accept as Christians. A phrase that indicates salvation and directs a person to God's eternal life. Saved from ourselves, saved from sin's grasps, saved from eternal darkness. Well, like the other phrases I've just accepted, this phrase took on a much deeper meaning this week. I got a new look at what we are saved from because of Christ's sacrifice.
I settled into the nap moment of my day (in that big comfy chair) and clicked to christian television to fill the room with His Word. The program was called supernatural (I think). The host interviewed a man who wrote a book called 23 Minutes in Hell. Not one of my favorite subject. The testimony gripped my heart. I know, as I am sure you know there is a literal Hell and it involves torment, darkness, thirst and pain for all eternity. But I never really thought about it or even used that argument to lead someone to Christ. I believe God's love says it all. However, this mans words were worth repeating.
You see, we will live for all eternity. We are made of body, soul and spirit. Though the body(flesh we see) will die and decay, the soul and spirit live forever. Where will we spend this forever? If we receive Christ we live forever with Him. If we do not, we live forever in eternal torment called hell. This mans description of hell gave a whole new meaning to torment and being saved from that torment. He gave over 100 verses to back up his experience. (I plan to get the book, check them out and read what he described.)
The Point? Hell is a place to avoid. He described fire you could feel, beatings from demons who's claws ripped his flesh, no air to breathe, thirst for even a tiny drop of water, hate, the smell of burning sulfur and flesh, voices screaming from the torture. Some terrifying thoughts. True or not one thing is definite. Hell exists. It is the eternal abode of all who reject Christ, it is a place of torment, it's described in scripture and it last forever.
Saved. Yes, this word saved is appropriate, a strong word of deep meaning.
If you do not know Christ as Savior, as Lord then take time today to repent of your sin, ask Him into your life, ask Him to save you.
Thank you Lord for salvation.
Often I've wondered about well used phrases we all read or say. They become old-hat. Even to the point where they either loose meaning or are accepted with no thought.
Love for example, we say I love that car or I love how they talk or I love you. If you noticed, each I love has different meanings, different depth. Yet we still use I Love in each phrase till love begins to be old-hat and looses its depth.
Other such phrases came to me today. Like... they say... or pray for peace...or saved.
They say refers to things that most people agree on; even though there is no such person as they.
Pray for peace. I first saw that one at age 10 during the 50's. I remember then, as a child thinking...why do we need to pray for peace? Now as an adult I see. America and every other place in the world needs peace, personally and nationally.
Saved is a phrase we accept as Christians. A phrase that indicates salvation and directs a person to God's eternal life. Saved from ourselves, saved from sin's grasps, saved from eternal darkness. Well, like the other phrases I've just accepted, this phrase took on a much deeper meaning this week. I got a new look at what we are saved from because of Christ's sacrifice.
I settled into the nap moment of my day (in that big comfy chair) and clicked to christian television to fill the room with His Word. The program was called supernatural (I think). The host interviewed a man who wrote a book called 23 Minutes in Hell. Not one of my favorite subject. The testimony gripped my heart. I know, as I am sure you know there is a literal Hell and it involves torment, darkness, thirst and pain for all eternity. But I never really thought about it or even used that argument to lead someone to Christ. I believe God's love says it all. However, this mans words were worth repeating.
You see, we will live for all eternity. We are made of body, soul and spirit. Though the body(flesh we see) will die and decay, the soul and spirit live forever. Where will we spend this forever? If we receive Christ we live forever with Him. If we do not, we live forever in eternal torment called hell. This mans description of hell gave a whole new meaning to torment and being saved from that torment. He gave over 100 verses to back up his experience. (I plan to get the book, check them out and read what he described.)
The Point? Hell is a place to avoid. He described fire you could feel, beatings from demons who's claws ripped his flesh, no air to breathe, thirst for even a tiny drop of water, hate, the smell of burning sulfur and flesh, voices screaming from the torture. Some terrifying thoughts. True or not one thing is definite. Hell exists. It is the eternal abode of all who reject Christ, it is a place of torment, it's described in scripture and it last forever.
Saved. Yes, this word saved is appropriate, a strong word of deep meaning.
If you do not know Christ as Savior, as Lord then take time today to repent of your sin, ask Him into your life, ask Him to save you.
Thank you Lord for salvation.
Monday, July 9, 2007
It's Personal
Have you ever tried to make the scriptures personal. I remember the first time I tried this method of listening to the Lord. It made a huge difference in the trial I faced that week. I kept reading the verses in a personal tone and my faith and trust in the Lord grew. It felt a Little like food when hungry or water when thirsty.
Today I would like to lead you through this experience. When you see the word I or we or you or them or our or other similar indications in these passages, put your first name in that spot and, by the way, read it out loud. It creates a stronger effect.
I've picked a few chapters to get you started.
Psalms 46.... God is _____ refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore ___ will not fear, though the earth give away and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.........
Now continue through the entire chapter using this method.
Psalms 91..... ____ who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty._____will say of the lord,"He is ____refuge and ___fortress and ___God, In whom
____will trust". Surely he will save___from the Fowler's snare.
Continue the method to the end of the chapter.
A few others that encourage. Try them.
Psalms 1:1-3
1John 5:11-13
John 3:16
Eph 1:2-23
Enjoy His word and His voice and the love He expresses in this His personal letter to you.
Today I would like to lead you through this experience. When you see the word I or we or you or them or our or other similar indications in these passages, put your first name in that spot and, by the way, read it out loud. It creates a stronger effect.
I've picked a few chapters to get you started.
Psalms 46.... God is _____ refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore ___ will not fear, though the earth give away and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.........
Now continue through the entire chapter using this method.
Psalms 91..... ____ who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty._____will say of the lord,"He is ____refuge and ___fortress and ___God, In whom
____will trust". Surely he will save___from the Fowler's snare.
Continue the method to the end of the chapter.
A few others that encourage. Try them.
Psalms 1:1-3
1John 5:11-13
John 3:16
Eph 1:2-23
Enjoy His word and His voice and the love He expresses in this His personal letter to you.
Monday, July 2, 2007
His Mercy
Psm 25; Romans 8; Matt 13
Today I am 63. When in my twenties, I remember thinking 30 was old. We all felt as if 20 would last forever. Remember? Then I turned 30. Yes...life was over for me. Two little ones, a home to care for, a job, a husband and knee deep in responsibilites. The 20's were definitely over and I felt OLD.
Funny how now that I am 63, I feel young. It is as if age no longer matters. I interact with children and people of all ages. Somehow, regardless of the age, when I am with them I relate.
Little ones in the church nursery for example. They cling to the fence that keeps them safe inside and cry for mommy. She will be back in one hour yet to them it feels like years. I go inside and sit on the floor to be on their level and they gather to me like bees to a hive. All they want is to be held, talked to and noticed. I relate and feel their need for each of us regardless of age feels the same. All we want is to be loved, valued and accepted. Held, talked to, noticed, a need for mercy.
People older than me is another example. Their bodies have betrayed them. Hands do not work and they need a walker or wheel chair. They reach out in need. What do they need? The same thing. Someone to talk to, to hold their hand, to listen and notice their need...mercy.
Do you need mercy today? Does the one next to you need your mercy today? God reaches out daily and gives us His mercy. Sometimes He fills it through human flesh as we relate to those around us. Other times He simply reaches into the depths of each soul.
Today in Bible study and prayer He reached into my soul. At 63 I looked back into my life. What type of wake have I left behind. Thanks to His influence it is a good wake. I noticed He took all my mistakes, sins, the wrong turns and covered them in mercy. Thank you Lord. Somehow He turned all those evil actions into good for those around me. I'm thankful for that mercy. He also multiplies the good wake of every random act of kindness given out to others. How does He do that? Why does He do that for us?
The answer? Even though we are unfaithful He is faithful for He can not deny Himself or the promises He has given to us. He perfects all that He begins and when we received Him as Lord and Savior he began a good work inside us. He leaves a good wake in our lives and those we touch. But best of all He is merciful. His heart is so touched by one that repents, one who turns toward Him that He is honor bound by who He is to forgive and heal. He is in love with you and me, His children and gives us His mercy.
Today I am 63. When in my twenties, I remember thinking 30 was old. We all felt as if 20 would last forever. Remember? Then I turned 30. Yes...life was over for me. Two little ones, a home to care for, a job, a husband and knee deep in responsibilites. The 20's were definitely over and I felt OLD.
Funny how now that I am 63, I feel young. It is as if age no longer matters. I interact with children and people of all ages. Somehow, regardless of the age, when I am with them I relate.
Little ones in the church nursery for example. They cling to the fence that keeps them safe inside and cry for mommy. She will be back in one hour yet to them it feels like years. I go inside and sit on the floor to be on their level and they gather to me like bees to a hive. All they want is to be held, talked to and noticed. I relate and feel their need for each of us regardless of age feels the same. All we want is to be loved, valued and accepted. Held, talked to, noticed, a need for mercy.
People older than me is another example. Their bodies have betrayed them. Hands do not work and they need a walker or wheel chair. They reach out in need. What do they need? The same thing. Someone to talk to, to hold their hand, to listen and notice their need...mercy.
Do you need mercy today? Does the one next to you need your mercy today? God reaches out daily and gives us His mercy. Sometimes He fills it through human flesh as we relate to those around us. Other times He simply reaches into the depths of each soul.
Today in Bible study and prayer He reached into my soul. At 63 I looked back into my life. What type of wake have I left behind. Thanks to His influence it is a good wake. I noticed He took all my mistakes, sins, the wrong turns and covered them in mercy. Thank you Lord. Somehow He turned all those evil actions into good for those around me. I'm thankful for that mercy. He also multiplies the good wake of every random act of kindness given out to others. How does He do that? Why does He do that for us?
The answer? Even though we are unfaithful He is faithful for He can not deny Himself or the promises He has given to us. He perfects all that He begins and when we received Him as Lord and Savior he began a good work inside us. He leaves a good wake in our lives and those we touch. But best of all He is merciful. His heart is so touched by one that repents, one who turns toward Him that He is honor bound by who He is to forgive and heal. He is in love with you and me, His children and gives us His mercy.
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