Category Archives: Sin

August 2 – When God’s Not Listening

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Isaiah 59-63

Have you ever felt your prayers aren’t getting any higher than the ceiling, that God is too busy to hear your requests, or that God was unable to give you the desires of your heart? There might be a reason for that.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. (59:1-2)

If you think God is ignoring you, you may be right.

Your unconfessed sin drives a wedge between you and God, it produces a distance caused by you. God doesn’t owe you anything. You, on the other hand, owe Him everything.

If God seems far away, or uncaring, remember “YOUR iniquities have made a separation… YOUR sins have hidden His face…”

I know that God delights in fellowship with His children. He’s there. He’s waiting. He’s eager to forgive. If you are feeling the distance between you, ask yourself if there is something you need to confess.

I promise you, He’ll be listening.

July 29 – The One And Only God

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Isaiah 44-48

I don’t know how many more ways God could identify Himself as the One and Only God. “I am God,” He repeatedly says through Isaiah, “and there is no other.” Then He goes on to give examples of His ultimate, exclusive power.

You can try to defend your imaginary gods, you can be “spiritual,” “tolerant,” “non-judgmental.” But you would be wrong.

Like it or not, believe it or not, the God of the Bible is the One and Only God. He says He is, and He backs it up.

I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth form My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. (45:23)

I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. (48:12)

And I will tell you that the One and Only God loves you, yearns for you, sent His Son to die for you in order to forgive you. The One and Only God wants you with Him forever.

Oh, what an amazing One and Only God.

July 25 – The Plumb Line of Emptiness

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Isaiah 31-34

God, through Isaiah, is describing the devastation the result of His wrath will bring. Mountains drenched with blood, the sky rolled up like a scroll, streams turned to pitch, a fire that can’t be quenched, complete desolation where the land is inhabited only by pelican, hedgehog, owl, and raven.

I picture a ghost town in a B movie western complete with rambling tumble weeds.

Then God says He will “stretch over it the line of desolation and the plumb line of emptiness.” (34:11)

Has that ever described you? Have you ever felt that life has abandoned you, that you have a longing that burns and can’t be quenched, you feel alone, and lost, and empty?

Dear one, that is not where God wants you to live. Jesus died so that, when you repent of your sin, He can fill you to overflowing with Himself! His love. His grace and mercy. His goodness and joy. When you allow God to fill you, you will have hope for the future, and strength for the day.

The plumb line of emptiness, true emptiness, is the life without God. That void in your life was placed there by God to be filled by God alone. Oh, you can try to fill it yourself. Drugs, alcohol, unhealthy relationships, other gods, self, career, family, busy-ness. But all are substitutes for the real thing – the plumb line of fullness which is God Himself.

That is the point from which your life is blessed by God. You don’t have to live in that black and white movie ghost town with rotting floorboards and banging saloon doors, in a place inhabited by rodents and scavengers.

Let God fill your emptiness like only He can. He’ll turn your mourning into joy, and your tears into gladness. He’ll turn your loneliness into fellowship, and your despair into hope.

July 23 – God Feels Pain

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Hosea 8-14

When I read Hosea’s words this morning I was struck by God’s emotions toward His children. Often I’ve read about God’s anger. Today I see Him a bit differently.

My youngest nephew is going off to college. Even though I’m not his mom, I’m pretty close to this crazy teenager. And it’s not easy letting him go. So many memories rush back as I think about him getting in that car and driving away toward adulthood. The first time I held him in my arms, his first wobbly steps, the funny way he rolled his r’s when he was learning to talk, his first soccer game, playing catch in the backyard, watching Space Jam and laughing over The Great Race (MMMMAAAAAAAAAXXX!!!), Indians games, Disney, Chuckie Cheese. If only I could just hold him in those innocent years forever.

I have tears in my eyes just thinking about my nephew leaving the nest. It’s a natural progression of life, but I am still sad that he’ll be going away.

And that’s how I saw God this morning as I read Hosea 11. He’s like a daddy watching His baby walk away. He loved His children. He nurtured them, held them, taught them, protected them. But God’s children aren’t just going off to college. They have turned their backs on God and rejected him.

I am God’s child, too. He’s like the daddy who loves me completely. He’s held me, and taught me to walk, He’s protected me and guided me. It’s those times when I disobey, when I ignore Him, when I make choices that dishonor Him, that He yearns for the days when I totally belonged to Him. I can almost see Him reaching out to me as I take a step away.

I don’t want God to see my back. Ever. I want to be always moving toward Him, arms open wide, eager to receive everything He is. I don’t ever want to be a source of sorrow for my Lord. I don’t want my choices to cause Him pain.

If I feel sadness because of the new chapter in my nephew’s life, and mine, then God’s sadness must be so much greater when He watches His children turn and walk away. May I never be the source of His pain.

July 19 – A Heart Condition

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Isaiah 18-22

What do you do when God pricks your conscience concerning sin in your life? You know the feeling. That small voice inside your head that says – don’t do it. Or that nagging thought that postpones sleep at night. A quickened heartbeat or that sudden feeling that something is wrong with the AC.

If we ignore those nudges from God, the next nudge might be more like a slap in the face. And ignoring that slap could result in devastation.

The Bible is rich with examples of how God tries to get the attention of His people in order to turn them from sin. And sometimes the consequences like we read about in Isaiah, are pretty severe.

Thinking about these chapters today I’m tempted to focus my attention on the sin of a nation, because evidence of God’s attempts to get our attention is everywhere. But I am reminded that a nation is made up of individuals. It’s you and me.

So the question is – what do you (do I) do when God pricks our consciences concerning sin in our own lives? It’s not about the USA as much as it is about the people who call themselves Christians in this great nation. It’s not about the White House, but what happens in our own houses.

It’s about your heart – and mine.

When God tries to get our attention, let’s pay attention. Let’s be quick to repent. Let’s recognize sin and run from temptation. Let’s be the people God can use to turn things around in our homes, our churches, our towns, our country, starting with our hearts.

July 17 – Lessons Still Unlearned

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2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16-17

I’ve never counted how many times the nation of Israel, blessed by God, sinned and endured punishment, only to repent and be blessed once again, then sin and face judgement. That cycle seems to be a major theme in the Old Testament.

I find myself frustrated with the Jews because of their weakness. Why couldn’t they just learn to obey? Why couldn’t they hold on to the One True God who dramatically proved His superiority over and over?

Then, just when I find myself getting angry with the ancient Jews for “walking in the customs of the nations whom the Lord had driven out” (2 Kings 17:8), the pages of God’s Word become a mirror, and I am face to face with my own weaknesses.

It’s easy to read these chapters as a history lesson and miss the living Truth right in front of me. I find I can’t condemn Israel with condemning myself.

God, I want to be steadfast and sure. I want to hold strong to the Truth of Scripture, to the God of Creation, to my Savior, my Lord. Forgive me if I look at the world and want what they have. What they have leads to judgment. I want to be faithful to You only. Be my strength. In Jesus’ name.

July 14 – Grieved

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Amos 6-9

As I read these chapters today I am reminded that there is danger in getting comfortable, in feeling secure, in reclining on beds of ivory, sprawling on couches, eating and drinking, without caring that people are dying and going to hell.

May we never have the attitude that “At least I’m ok. My salvation is eternally secure. Let the rest of the world get what they deserve.” God calls it “the arrogance of Jacob” (6:8) which is the same as saying, the arrogance of God’s people. That’s me. That’s you if you know Him.

God is grieved over sin, over people dying without the Savior, over disobedience and hate.

Grieved.

Am I too comfortable to care?

July 13 – Seek God And Live

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Amos 1-5

“For three transgressions…and for four  I will not revoke its punishment.” God spoke these words to Amos eight times, referring to eight groups of people who sinned against God. In chapters 3&4 God declares that all the tribes of Israel are guilty, none worship God as He deserves and demands. And because of it, God is going to punish them.

But in chapter 5 another phrase is repeated several times. “Seek me that you may live.” Seek the Lord, seek good and not evil that you may live.

I believe God would have us apply these same principles to our individual lives. God will not revoke punishment for sin. Period. Not ever. Every sin comes with a death sentence that must be paid. That will be paid. There is no getting around it. Not for the murder of five policemen in Dallas, and not for that snide remark made about a coworker. Not for adultery, or for that little white lie. Every sin will be punished. God will not revoke its punishment.

But God tells us to seek Him – and live. Now that doesn’t mean He overlooks sin in those who seek Him. That means when we seek God, ask for His forgiveness, our sin debt is marked, “Paid In Full.” The thing is, your sin debt (death) is already paid. Jesus died once and for all.

So it’s sad when people continue to try to pay the debt of their sin on their own, refusing what is already theirs. It’s like thinking you can take care of the national debt by giving them the change in your pocket. Are you kidding me?

Someone is going to die for your sins. You can accept the fact that Jesus has been there, done that on your behalf. Or you can face God without His Son and offer Him the change in your pocket. Dear one, your payment won’t come close to covering your debt. You will be handed the death sentence. And God will not revoke that punishment just because you were a nice person.

God is inviting you to get to know Him. Read His Word. Pray. Accept Jesus as your Savior, your only hope of life. Recognize the many ways in which God is trying to get your attention. Consider His creation and bow before a Holy God who loves you, who gave Himself for you, who died so you wouldn’t have to.

I mean, He’s already paid the bill. Just accept it.

 

July 12 – Warning Woes

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Isaiah 5-8

Things are out of control on this small island where I live. This beautiful island, with sprawling live oak trees hundreds of years old, lush ferns, and palms, is being overtaken by bulldozers, hammers, and nails. Evidently the building codes have been lax for years, so contractors are coming in droves to quickly clear the land for new houses and condo complexes which are taxing the island’s infrastructure. The result is the overpopulating of this once quiet community.

The builders show no regard for the island as they cram new buildings into every inch, hoping to line their pockets at the expense of residents. So when I read Isaiah 5:8-9, I thought about what is happening here. It seems even God is saying, “Enough!” He tells Isaiah that buildings lie empty for lack of occupants. That really is my fear for this lovely island.

But I know God wasn’t talking about builders in 2016. His warnings go much deeper. There are more “woes” in this chapter. He is not only warning greedy people. He is warning drunkards, liars, those who call good evil and evil good, those who are wise in their own sight, those who justify wickedness, and take away the rights of those who stand for the truth.

And God is not talking to non-believers here in Isaiah. These woes are directed toward His people. (vs 25)

I am reminded that, although God has given us the responsibility to care for His creation, He is more concerned with our hearts’ condition than the number of driveways on an island. I am reminded that the world’s condition isn’t corrupt because evil people are in charge.

As long as there are drunkards, greedy people, liars, those who proclaim good as evil and evil as good, and call themselves Christians, our world will continue its downward spiral. It is the Church, God’s people, who have the responsibility to listen to and obey God. Woe to us who play church, yet deny God in our day to day lives.

July 10 – Pride Isn’t Just About Feeling Proud

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2 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 26

Uzziah was feeling pretty good about himself. As king of Judah, he did a lot of good. He won wars, built towers, and dug wells. He became famous and strong. He did right in the sight of the Lord and God blessed him, and the nation of Judah.

Then, just when things were going well, Uzziah let pride get the best of him. He marched right into the temple and began to do the work of a priest. Scripture says he acted corruptibly and was unfaithful to God. When the priests called him on his sin, he was furious with the priests. How dare they tell him what he can and cannot do. He’s the great King Uzziah after all.

During his fit of anger, Uzziah broke out with leprosy. He lived the rest of his life shut up in a room by himself while his son ruled Judah in his place.

Pride. That weapon of Satan’s that’s pretty hard to fight against. And I don’t mean just the boastful, attention seeking attitude of some. Uzziah’s pride led him to believe he could re-write God’s law. It made him believe he could go to God on his own terms and not face consequences.

Pride can tell us our sin is too unique, too big for God to forgive. Pride can make us believe God sent Jesus to die for everyone but me (aren’t I special?) Pride can tell us we can face God on our own, or can handle hell, or because we choose to believe there is no God, that it’s true.

Pride can make us believe we are God’s equals. Pride says, “God and I have an agreement,” like you are telling God what is acceptable.

King Uzziah’s story reminds me that God hates pride. God prunes pride out of His children. And pride, left unchecked, has devastating consequences.