Tag Archives: sin

October 25

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Mark 10:23-31; Luke 18:24-30; Matthew 20:1-16; John 10:22-11:16

“With God all things are possible.” Have you ever heard that before? It’s been used as a mantra for some health and wealth theologies and the power of positive thinking. Do these words suggest that God can give us what we want if we believe as some have claimed? Do these words pertain to winning football games, defeating cancer, getting a promotion at work, or getting that special person to fall in love with you?

In the context of Scripture, Jesus is talking about the salvation of souls. He just got done telling his disciples that it is really hard for rich people to go to heaven. Remember, the rich young ruler just walked away from him when Jesus told him he needed to give away his wealth. The disciples asked him, “Who then can be saved?” to which Jesus replied: “…all things are possible with God.”

What God wants us to know is that no one is too lost to find forgiveness. God is able to save the vilest offender who truly believes.

Maybe you are reading this today and you have not accepted God’s grace for yourself. Maybe you think you’ve gone too far, done too many bad things, hurt too many people to have God love you. Maybe you think you don’t deserve God’s forgiveness and, in that you are exactly right. But Jesus is saying to you today that he is able to save even you.

Has God laid on your heart the name of someone who seems so far from him it’s unlikely he or she will ever believe? Don’t give up. God hasn’t. Pray. Reach out to that person. WIth God, it is possible that that soul will come to him.

Dear God, I thank you that Jesus died for all of mankind. I thank you that there is no one living who can’t come to you in Jesus’ name and receive forgiveness for a multitude of sin. I pray that your children will be faithful to pray, that we will allow you to use us to draw all people to you. I pray that we won’t give up praying for that loved one who so openly is rejecting you right now. Thank you for reminding us that even that dear one isn’t too tough for you. With you it is possible that he or she will accept you as their Savior.

October 8

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Luke 7:18-35, 36-8:3, 11:14-26; Matthew 11:1-19, 12:22-45; Mark 3:20-30

Luke 7:23 always puzzled me. 

Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.

Jesus was talking about the things he was doing like healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching the good news. Wouldn’t people be drawn to him because of those things? Why would he express concern that some would “fall away” because of him?

As I sit here and think about that this morning it occurs to me that people still stumble because of Jesus. In the New Testament times the Jews were looking forward to the Messiah who would take the throne and return them to their former glory. They just knew their enemies would get what’s coming to them. Many of those Jews rejected Jesus when it became clear that was not his purpose. There are people yet today looking for that material kingdom.

People like to hear that God wants them to be healthy and wealthy. They like to believe that if they do good things God will accept them. They get tripped up when they hear Jesus calls his people to take up a cross and follow him, that he is the only way to the Father. They reject God because they refuse to humble themselves and accept Jesus as their Savior.

Blessed are we who confess our sin and enjoy fellowship with God through his Son.

October 7

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Luke 6:17-49, 7:1-10, 11-17; Matthew 8:5-13; John 4:46b-54

I think one of the most misinterpreted verses these days is Luke 6:37.

Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.

So often we are told “Don’t judge”. But is God telling us we are not to recognize sin? That doesn’t even make sense in light of all of Scripture. How can the God who commands holiness of his people also tell us not to recognize sin? That’s foolishness.

Is adultery a sin? I can say without hesitation – yes. Is murder a sin? Absolutely. What about homosexuality, greed, gluttony, lying, idol worship, dishonesty? Without a doubt. 

So if I say to a gay friend that their lifestyle is sinful am I judging them? I didn’t make the law. God did. God makes it clear he judges sin. And don’t even think for a minute that he creates any of us to sin. I would be wrong if I didn’t try to turn my friend from sin by pointing it out in love.

If I point out to my married friend that her affair with a male co-worker is wrong , am I judging her? What about a neighbor who beats his children or a son who lies? Do I turn a blind eye because I am afraid someone will accuse me of judging them?

However, if I befriend a lesbian or have dinner with a friend who is an atheist – don’t judge me. If I go into a bar with an unsaved friend – don’t condemn me. If God has asked me to invest myself in their lives in order to bring them to him, that’s something you cannot know.

Christian, we need to stand for the Truth of Scripture. There are serious consequences for sin as spelled out in God’s Word. It is our responsibility to warn people of those consequences and point them to the Savior.

And… don’t use verses 41-45 as an excuse not to confront someone. If there is sin in your life – a plank in your eye – you need to confess it and get right with the Lord. Whether or not you witness to a friend you need to confess sin. Period. But you also have a job to do. Your friend who has no interest in the God of the Bible or who has twisted Scripture to rationalize sin is going to hell. Do you understand that? I didn’t make that up. I’m not judging them. They are already judged by their actions.

I know this is not a popular subject these days and it certainly is not politically correct in our “tolerant” society. But ignoring sin in ourselves or in the lives of our loved ones doesn’t change God. He is serious about sin. I pray that we will be as well.

October 6

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Matthew 5:21-7:29

You know, before Jesus came to earth, following the law was pretty black and white. In a very real sense, Jesus made following the law even more difficult than before.

In Old Testament times you sinned if you plowed on the Sabbath, if you had a wooden idol in your home, if you had an affair, killed someone, or stole something. Sins were concrete, visible. 

But Jesus took it a step further. He tells us if we hate someone we’re guilty of murder. If we lust after someone we’re guilty of adultery. What we think and feel became as important as what we do.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is about our heart’s condition. He talked about fruit trees and the fact that good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad. If our hearts are right with the Lord, what we do and say will reflect that. The outward signs of a heart that belongs to God is love toward enemies, going the extra mile, honesty and trustworthiness.

Jesus tells us to be perfect as God is perfect. That’s a command, not a suggestion. 

Have you given your heart to Jesus? If you have, you have no excuse but to bear good fruit. Let him pour himself into you and out of you as you yield to him. May you bear the fruit of having him in your heart.

Gracious Father, thank you for challenging me today to check my heart’s condition. May I recognize the areas I haven’t turned over to you and may I give it all to you. I pray that the fruit I yield today in the things I do, the things I say, and the thoughts I think show the world that my heart belongs to you.

September 26

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Nehemiah 13; Joel 1&2

No matter how many times his people go astray, God still pleads with them to return to him. Making wine on the Sabbath, doing their shopping on that holy day, marrying foreign wives were some of the blatant sins Israel was once again committing so soon after Jerusalem was restored.

But it wasn’t just about those things that God was saddened by. His heart broke because of their hearts’ condition.

Joel 2:12-14 spoke to me today. God calls us to return to him with all our hearts. Don’t just go through the motions by tearing your clothes. Rend your hearts, he says.

The sins Israel committed came from unrepentant hearts. God is asking me today about my own heart’s condition. What part does he play in my innermost being? He wants it all. And if I truly have given him all of me, my life would reflect that in my speech, in my actions, in my business dealings, in my home.

Sin is an outward expression of the heart. That’s why we are told to guard our hearts. That’s why Jesus wants to dwell there so that we would have victory over sin. He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. He wants to bless us but he cannot bless sin. 

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for your grace and compassion. Thank you for your great love. Thank you for second and third and fourth chances. God, may we rend our hearts, allow you to take up residence in our innermost beings. And may the things we do and say today reflect your Presence in our lives. Give us victory over temptation and sin as we give you our hearts.

September 24

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Nehemiah 9:38-11:36

84 men signed a detailed pledge, promising they and the rest of the people would live by the law of Moses. They bound themselves with a curse and an oath and boldly stated, “We will not neglect the house of our God.” 

Was it like that when you came to know the Lord? Were you determined to change your ways, be faithful in your service, to love God and obey him for the rest of your life? How long were you able to hold up your end of the bargain?

The Jewish men we read about today were no doubt convinced that they and their families would be able to do everything in the pledge they signed. But history tells us eventually the promises were forgotten.

One thing I’ve learned is that I can’t make a promise to obey God for anyone but myself. These Jewish leaders spoke for the nation of Israel. It was doomed from the beginning. I can’t promise God my sisters and their families will love and obey him. Each of those dear people have to do that individually. 

I can’t even promise I’ll be faithful every day until I die. I can give God today, though because that’s all I have. I know me. And so does Satan. I have struggles and temptations and I am human. I will fail. 

But I can go to my Heavenly Father and confess my sins and know he is faithful to forgive. I can determine to cling to Jesus for strength and the ability to obey him. And he will answer my prayers. 

As I go into my day today I pray that there will be victories over temptation. I pray that God will make himself known to me and I will obey. I pray that I will have the courage to make choices that allow me to be the woman God intends for me to be today.

I can pray the same for you. But it’s up to you to make it happen.

Let’s choose Jesus today. I’m going to.

 

September 22

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Psalms 121, 122, 123, 128, 130, 134, 135, 136

These psalms remind us how good God is. They are psalms of praise to the One True God, maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 136 reminds us “His love endures forever”. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. 

But his love doesn’t cancel out his holiness.

Sometimes I think we in 2013 mistake God’s love for his forgiveness, his acceptance. Psalm 130:4 says:

But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

It doesn’t say with you there is forgiveness, therefore I can live like I want to and you are ok with it because you love me so much. Not only do these psalms speak of God’s blessings, they also remind us God is to be feared.

123:2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hands of their masters…

128:1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.

1135:20 You who fear him, praise the Lord.

Do you fear the Lord? If you really did you might not have said what you said yesterday. You might not have gone where you did or laughed at what you laughed at. You might not think those impure thoughts or harbor hatred toward someone.

Do you fear the Lord? What does that look like in your life? God loved you so much he died for you to pay the penalty for the sins you commit. It’s because of him you can stand before him, wearing his righteousness, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. 

Are you afraid to dishonor him, to disappoint him? Do you recognize his holiness and fall on your knees before him? God loves you. God so loved the world. But don’t mistake his love for permission. Blessed are those who fear him, who obey him, who serve him.

Holy God, may we view sin as seriously as you do. May we recognize your holiness and tremble at the thought of disobeying you. Thank you for your great love that sent Jesus to Calvary. I want to live my life out of gratitude for your grace. Help me to never take your love for granted but to serve you, to fear you, to love you as you deserve to be loved.

September 7

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Daniel 11:36-12:13; Psalms 93, 94, 95, 96

Daniel continues to share his vision about the future. And a verse I read today really frightens me.

The man clothed in linen tells Daniel in the end, some people will wake up in heaven, others in hell. Daniel asks when this is going to happen and in Daniel 12:7 the man says something that took my breath away:

“When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these thing will be completed”.

Now I totally trust God with the future and I don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out who I think the antichrist will be or if the rapture will occur before or after some great time of tribulation. But what that man told Daniel really scares me.

What is “the power of the holy people”? I believe the power we have is in the winning of lost souls, of allowing the Holy Spirit to use us to lead people to Christ. It’s in our willingness to live lives set apart so that the world can recognize Jesus in us and want him in their lives, too.

The possibility of this power being finally broken scares me. Can it really happen that one day our choices in this life will once and for all prevent the Holy Spirit from changing lives? Is it possible that our children’s children may have hearts so hard they won’t respond to God’s voice? Are we raising a generation that won’t recognize sin because we are teaching them “tolerance”?

Don’t think that can’t happen. Scripture says it will.

I know in my heart Jesus won’t come back until the last person who would be saved comes to him for forgiveness. But Daniel’s vision tells me that there will be be that last person, then the power of the holy people will be broken.

Someone said we are one generation away from godlessness. Parents, are you teaching your children to recognize sin? Are you teaching them there are consequences for disobedience? Are you showing them what a godly lifestyle looks like and that it’s better than anything the world can offer?

There are influences in our world that would take our focus away from our need of God. And those influences are targeted on our children. Will they be the generation that shuts out the Holy Spirit? They will be if we don’t step it up.

Are you talking about your Savior to your neighbors and friends? Is Jesus reflected in your daily choices? Do they see in you what they lack? They won’t if you don’t do something about it.

If we go through this life trying to fit in, to look like the world, to not offend someone by pointing out their need of a Savior, then we are taking part in binding the Holy Spirit. Every time we ignore him we add another link to the chain that will eventually render him unable to save.

Then the end will come.

And we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves because he is not willing that any should perish. Can we say the same?

Dear God, forgive your people for our lack of zeal. Forgive us for sitting back and expecting someone else to share you with that person you’ve laid on our hearts. Forgive us for expecting a Sunday School teacher to show our children their need of you. And forgive us when we ignore your prompting. God, I pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit on willing hearts. May your Spirit have your way in our homes, in our churches, in our towns, in our world. May you find your children faithful and may lost souls find you through us. Hold off on returning, Lord. Because if you do come back today, that just means we haven’t done our job. I pray that you will find us willing to listen and eager to obey for Jesus’ sake.

September 5

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Ezekiel 2:21-70; Nehemiah 7:26-73

Today’s portion of scripture includes a list of people who traveled to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. And we read that list two times. It was very important that all the families were represented.

Did you notice that the list also includes over 600 people who came to Jerusalem but couldn’t prove they were descendants of Israel? These people no doubt came with good hearts and intentions. But because they couldn’t produce the right paper-work, they were kept separate. Even if they claimed to be priests, they still weren’t permitted to eat the sacred food until they had gone through the proper channels.

It reminds me that there will be people with good hearts and intentions who will go to hell. They will stand before God on that day only to hear him say -“I never knew you”. I can’t think of anything more frightening.

You might think that’s unfair. But Jesus made it clear when he said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life and NO ONE goes to the Father except through me. It doesn’t say you can’t get to the Father unless you are a good person.

It would be unfair of God to make that rule and not provide a way. So Jesus died that WHOEVER believes in him will have eternal life. 

The wages of sin is death. If you sin, you pay with your life. The Bible says we all have sinned, have fallen short of God’s standards. No one is exempt. And we all deserve hell.

Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead has paid the debt in full. But it’s not a blanket provision. There are conditions to receiving it. It’s not church attendance, it’s not clean living, it’s not kindness or helpfulness.

It’s saying “yes”. It’s recognizing our sinful state and asking God to forgive us, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It’s accepting Jesus as the only way to the Father. It’s saying “yes” to his offer of grace.

Don’t think you are good enough without that personal encounter with Christ. You aren’t and you never will be.

Dear God in Heaven, may we grasp the urgency in your message today. May we realize the truth and run to you for your forgiveness. May we accept your provision of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then may we live lives that honor you and draw others to you, too. Thank you for grace, for the cross, for your dear Son, and the presence of your Holy Spirit in us when we accept you for our own.

September 3

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Daniel 8:1-27, 5:1-31, 99:1-27; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

What stood out to me today as I read these verses was the fact that Daniel prayed for the nation of Israel. Really prayed.

He didn’t just say, “God bless America”. I mean “Israel”. He didn’t slide over a quick, “Be with the President”. I mean “King”. Daniel went to God with a broken heart and confessed the sins of the nation that was built on God’s laws.

Most of you who read this blog live in the USA. We are a nation that was built on Biblical principles by men who acknowledged the Creator God. How the mighty have fallen.

I might be preaching to the choir, but I’m thinking Christians might need to spend more time praying for our great nation. I know I do.

I hate politics, avoid reading world news, and turn the TV station if people begin spouting opinions about what needs to happen to solve our problems. But if I hide my head in the sand I can’t pray specifically for our country or the world.

The threat of chemical warfare in Syria is frightening. But what about the chemical warfare we have in our own country against unborn children? Thousands of innocent American babies are slaughtered every day with chemicals that tear them from their mother’s wombs. I don’t see the media or the president up in arms about that.

“God bless the USA” just doesn’t get to the heart of things, does it?

Daniel knew the sins that needed to be confessed. He went to God with specific requests based on what he knew to be true. I think God would welcome the same kind of prayers from us – no matter where we live.

Pray, America. Really pray. We are a nation that was once blessed by God because our leaders honored him. Let’s determine to be informed citizens who take to God our specific requests for our nation and our world. It really is up to us, dear Christian friends. 

Dear God, we are a sinful nation. From our entertainment, to our greed, to our indifference, to our legislators who would force you out of our country, we have turned our back on you and deserve your wrath. I pray that your Holy Spirit would melt the hearts of men and women who today are hardened. I pray for the salvation of our President, his advisors, national, state, local governments. I pray for an outpouring of your Spirit on the media, in the classrooms, in our homes. May we return to the foundation on which this nation was built. Like Daniel I would pray, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because (this country and your people once honored you)”. May we honor you once more.