repentance

Kamikaze Sin

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I’ve worn glasses for my entire adult life. And I’ve discovered a huge secret that probably anyone who wears glasses has also learned. Not only can we see better when we wear our glasses, but they can instantly get a smudge when we haven’t even touched the lens. I’ve never understood how that happens, but I’ve recently figured out what causes those annoying smudges that are not there one minute and impossible to miss the next. There must be invisible kamikaze drones that spray an undetected substance when they are in the vicinity of eyeglasses. That’s the only explanation I can figure out that makes sense.

I’ve never met a person who intentionally smears the lens on their glasses. If anything, we work hard to keep them clear so our vision is not compromised. But it’s a never-ending task. I don’t know about anyone else, but I find myself cleaning my glasses multiple times a day.

I’m perfectly content with my new theory. I just need some evidence that it holds true. If anyone has proof of life of these drones, please feel free to message me. Just as the drones in New Jersey appeared out of nowhere, so do these drones. I’m not sure if it’s a government plot to disrupt the life of glass wearers or some other nefarious plan.

In our daily lives, it seems there are times when a temptation comes out of nowhere and we “unexpectedly” sin. We may have to decide instantly how we will respond to the temptation staring us in the face. If we give in, we may try to defend our actions by blaming it on today’s culture. Everyone is doing it, so it’s ok. Those sins that come out of “unexpected” temptation could be categorized as kamikaze sins. They catch us unaware and, for some reason, we aren’t prepared to reject the temptation. So we give in when we have vowed not to. Perhaps what it amounts to is that we’re not steady enough on our spiritual feet to say no. We’re willing to risk eternal separation from God for a moment’s pleasure, to save face or acceptance by others we hold in high esteem.

But. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Think about that. We don’t want to offend others, but we’re willing to offend God. At a moment’s notice, we may be tempted to steal or lie. Or any number of sinful acts. Why do we do it? Oh. We’re all born with a sinful nature, that’s for sure. And perhaps, in our inner life that no one but God sees, we dwell on things that displease God. And then when we are tempted, we show no resistance. After all, it’s been on our mind for days. And the opportunity to act on that thought is right before our eyes. How can we turn away and say no?

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) Romans 8:3-9

Sin is a taboo subject these days. Even when we know we’re sinning, no one wants to admit they’ve offended God. Because when we admit it, then we have to do something about it. We either ignore God’s warning and continue on with our lives, or we repent and turn away from sin. It seems it should be an easy decision, but we’re selfish people and we want our way in life.

I’ve read recently that sin is autonomy. We choose to live by our own law. We decide what is permitted or not in our lives. We decide what’s right or wrong. We don’t hand that heavy responsibility to God, who has already determined right and wrong for everyone. Mankind wants to be free of God, so we crown ourselves as our own god. And we don’t let anyone or anything tell us what to do.

But when we believe there is a God, we hand over all the ownership to God. He defines the rules. He determines good and evil, and we must bow to his measures. Then when we feel the gaze of God upon us and our sin, we become very, very uncomfortable. Being confronted with our sin moves us to a decision of repentance or rejection of God.

Oswald Chambers writes in his classic devotional “My Utmost for His Highest”, “have you made the following decision about sin — that it must be completely killed in you? It takes a long time to come to the point of making this complete and effective decision about sin. It is, however, the greatest moment in your life, once you decide that sin must die in you — not simply be restrained, suppressed, or counteracted, but crucified — just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world.”

So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:14-25

If you haven’t chosen to repent of your sins, today is your day. Jesus will welcome your prayer of confession and repentance and forgive all your sins. He will give you a new heart and a desire to please him. You can pray the following simple prayer that Billy Graham used in his crusades to invite people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.

If it is difficult to get right with God, it is because we refuse to make this moral decision about sin. But once we do decide, the full life of God comes in immediately.

Oswald Chambers

The Heart of It All

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So. We bought this house late last summer. Oh. The stone on the front facade is a look I have always disliked. I’ve just never cared for it, but there it is on the front of a house that I willingly bought. And I’m definitely not going to invest money to replace it with something I prefer. That’s just not in the budget. There are many other updates that I want to put my money and hard work toward, so I ignore the ugly stone as much as I can and concentrate on the parts of the house that I love.

And then I step inside my home. Oh. Every wall is still currently painted white. The floor is a lighter color than I would have chosen. I have paint swatches and wallpaper samples taped to the walls, and I’ve placed rugs in a couple of rooms. I’m making plans to update light fixtures and to paint the cabinets. I’d like to replace the garden tub with a walk-in shower. Those things will happen, but they will take time because we have some big ticket items to consider. We need to install a new HVAC system, and we need to replace part of the roof. We have foggy windows that need replaced. And these updates will come all in good time.

We’ve made this house our home, and it’s a comfortable place to live. Bright light shines in through the tall living room windows and the doors. Fresh breezes flow through the house on nice days. I’m working to make this house a cozy place where we will enjoy growing old. And so far, it’s working. We love being in our home.

The thing is. If I had to buy this house based on the exterior of it alone, I would have passed on it. Not because I disliked the shape of house, because I don’t dislike it. I just don’t like the look of the stone. It’s dated and ugly and way too expensive to replace. But it was the inside of the house that drew me in. The layout. The beauty of the tall wooden ceilings. The shape of the A-frame feels rustic and homey. It is a welcoming place.

The way I’m working on making my home a place I genuinely love reminds me of the story of how David was anointed as the second king of Israel. God was displeased with King Saul’s continued disobedience, so he let Saul know that none of his sons would inherit his place on the throne. Imagine being the prophet Samuel who had to break that news to the king of Israel. But he did it. He shared the bad news.

And God then told Samuel to go to the house of Jesse and anoint one of his sons as the next king. The problem is. God didn’t tell Samuel which son he had chosen. He told Samuel he would let him know who was the chosen son when he arrived in Bethlehem. When Samuel arrived at the house, he came with an offering to present to God. It was a heifer. Jesse and his sons were invited to the sacrifice where God would tell Samuel which son was to be the next king.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

When Samuel saw the first son, he was impressed and thought this must be the one. But God told him to keep looking. After checking out six more sons, God had still not given the green light to any of them. So Samuel asked if there were more sons. Oh. One more. The youngest. You don’t want to see him. He’s not worthy. Bring him to me, said Samuel. And when David was brought in to face Samuel, God let him know that the future king of Israel was standing before him. Samuel then anointed David in front of his father and brothers before they sat down to enjoy a feast.

Each time one of the first seven sons stood before Samuel, he thought they looked fine. All he could see was their physical appearance. But God was looking at their heart. And God had told Samuel earlier that he was looking for someone with a heart toward Him. He wanted a king who would obediently follow God while he led his country. Not a small task, at all. And when David entered the room, Samuel knew this was God’s chosen one.

Oh. We would later learn that David was far from perfect. He messed up big time. But he always turned back to God and repented of his sins. The results of momentary temptations and lusts brought him to his knees as he watched the son born of his sin die in infancy. But he arose from his knees a forgiven and changed man. He was a warrior and led the nation of Israel in many victorious wars against enemy nations. He planned and prepared for the temple that his son Solomon, the next king of Israel, would build. He was a man after God’s own heart.

Too many times we look at ourselves and wonder what God sees in us. But when we faithfully follow him, even though we may stumble, he is faithful to us. He will forgive us when we sin, as long as we repent. He knows our hearts. He knows if we have a true leaning toward being a child of God, or if we’re just playing around with our faith. He’s looking for seriously committed followers who will live out their beliefs in public. Oh. We’re not faultless, but we must be repentant when we do sin.

Just as my new home needs repairs and updates that may not be visible to the naked eye, so is our heart when it comes to spiritual growth. God sees us as we are, and he knows the work he has ordained for us. Throughout our lifetime of serving him, God will work on the areas of our heart that are not fully in tune with him. When we allow God to correct and prune us, we will grow in his likeness. When we surrender our sinful nature to him, we will experience a lifetime of growth. Just as my house has not been well cared for through the years, we can’t allow our spiritual growth to become stagnant, because our faith will erode and decay. We need daily spiritual nourishment from God’s word, prayer and fellowship with other believers. It is a lifetime of faithful obedience that draws us closer to God and makes us more like him.

Know Your Instructor

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I’ve never been good at what we used to call “new math.” Oh. I can add, subtract, multiply and divide. That’s all I need to know for what I do in my life. I don’t need new math. I just need the old, basic arithmetic. But I remember my high school algebra teacher. Well, here’s what I remember. I didn’t learn much, and I’m not sure how I even passed the class. I never took another math class in high school. Then I went to college, and one math class was on the agenda. The instructor was amazing. She made learning math seem easy. I’m not sure that I aced the class, but I learned more than I ever had in high school. But the information didn’t stick with me because I never needed to use it again.

Years later when I went back to school, math was one of the required courses for the degree I was pursuing. But I had to take a placement test to determine my proficiency level. It was maybe a fifteen question quiz. When I took my finished quiz to the proctor, she started grading it. Then she looked at me and said that I must have mixed up the answers to the questions. I said no, I didn’t and walked out. I knew I would have to take the most remedial math class that was offered before I could take the one math class required for the program.

I began the class. The instructor was good. He explained things well. I thought I was catching on, but then I would go home and start on the homework. I wasn’t keeping up with the work. My math knowledge had reached its limits. I quit the class and the school. Years later, I opted for another school and degree that didn’t require math.

From my failed math experiences, I learned that I need a math instructor who keeps things simple and uncomplicated. If I had had that type of instructor in high school, perhaps I would have been able to go further in my “new math” skills. But ever since then, I’ve opted for a life without the requirements of too much math, and I’ve survived just fine. And I’ve decided that if math becomes a requirement in my life, the key for my success is having the right instructor. I need someone who is patient and keeps the instructions clear and simple.

I realize that math proficiency is not related to only the instructor. It lies with me, too. And I realized many years ago that math just isn’t my strong point. And I’m fine with that. But I do need to have math skills in order to be proficient in this life, whether I like it or not. It’s up to me to take the initiative to learn the basics and apply them to the areas of my life where arithmetic is needed. I can’t slough off on it just because it’s not one of my strengths.

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:4-5

Life can teach us hard lessons if we live a hard life. If we always seem to go against the teachings of those in authority, we can end up in tough life lessons. And it’s not really necessary, but we do it to ourselves because we think we know best.

The same can be said for our spiritual lives. We want what we want. And we don’t want God telling us what we can and can’t do. We want to set the rules for how we live our lives. And we let our social influences lead us. Even when they lead us down a dark and winding path that moves us further from God, we seem to follow blindly.

Oh. We may think we’re following God because, after all, we’re Christians. We go to church. We give money to the church. We may even volunteer to work in different ministries in the church. But we may find ourselves following the latest spiritual leaders who aren’t leading us biblically. And we think they are because their teachings sound so easy to follow. They don’t require use to change to do anything uncomfortable or self-sacrificing. But when we don’t read and study God’s word, we can be easily led astray. It’s easy to trust anyone who tells us to do only comfortable things. But when we read the Bible and Jesus teaches us that those who call themselves his followers must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him, then we start squirming in our seats.

Just this week, I saw a conference posted online where speakers and pastors were teaching other pastors unbiblical lessons. And then those pastors will go back to their churches and possibly teach their congregations these same unbiblical lessons. What is going on?

The only instruction that believers can trust is Scripture, which was inspired by God who doesn’t lie. He doesn’t bow to the latest fads. He doesn’t show favoritism. He offers full and complete forgiveness when we confess and repent of our sins. He instructs in the way we should live. He corrects us. He shows love and justice to everyone, regardless of the color of our skin or our birthplace.

Oh sure. We need others to come alongside us to mentor and disciple us. We need pastors who speak solid biblical truths preaching to us from the pulpit every Sunday. And then we must read and study the Word of God and apply it to our lives. There’s no way around this requirement, because it’s the only way we get to know God.

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. Matthew 7:15

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 2 Peter 2:1-2

God’s instructions are straightforward, not complex. The ten commandments clearly tell us how to live. The Sermon on the Mount spells out the gospel of holy living in clear and concise words. Jesus didn’t beat around the bush when he preached to the multitudes, and those same simple words of instruction are given to us today to hear and obey. And every word written in that precious Book leads us to God. The story of salvation is not rocket science, and it’s definitely a math assignment. No one needs an advanced degree to understand it. The homework given to us is to obey the message of Jesus and embrace a life of repentance and forgiveness and then walk in obedience.

As Oswald Chambers says, if God speaks to us then we either do what he asks or tell him that we will not obey. We’re more than happy to listen to what other people say about God. We just don’t want to hear from God directly, because then we have a decision to make. And if the decision to obey God may cost us something more than we’re willing to give, we turn in the opposite direction. As a pastor recently said, there is a point of no return, and it’s either at our last breath or at the second coming of Jesus. Let’s not wait too late to make the decision to follow Christ.

Send A Great Revival

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Hezekiah was only twenty five years old when he became king of Judah. He had succeeded his father, Ahaz, to the throne. King Ahaz was a wicked man who demanded that the doors of the Temple be closed to worship. And when Hezekiah inherited the throne, he reopened the doors of the Temple within the first month of his reign. Hezekiah had a heart for God, and he repented of the evil deeds of his father’s administration.

Hezekiah maintained his faith in God during his father’s idolatrous reign, and he waited until he was in power to make monumental changes in the country. No doubt, he was troubled by his father’s actions. Along with closing the doors of the church, Ahaz also set up idols to pagan gods in every corner of Jerusalem. He was unfaithful to God, and he encouraged his people to sin. He even offered some of his sons as burnt sacrifices on the altars of Baal. Needless to say, the sweeping changes that Hezekiah ushered in caused a revival for the ages.

Due to the horrible desecration caused by Ahaz, the nation of Judah was at a very low point when Hezekiah was crowned king. Instead of mounting a great political reign, his first act was to reopen the doors of the Temple and bring back the priests and Levities to perform their sacred duties. But the truth is that the priests and Levites didn’t come running back asking to serve. Hezekiah had to call them back. Some of them had even helped Ahaz build an altar to an idol, so Hezekiah knew that not all had kept their faith in God. How low will a nation go when their own holy leaders don’t maintain their faith and commitment to serving God?

But Hezekiah had a heart for God, and that desire to follow God’s commands didn’t start as soon as the crown was placed on his head. Hezekiah had a heart for God that, out of necessity, had stayed behind the scenes as his father allowed idolatry to ruin the nation. The nation was ready for a change, and the changed started immediately when Hezekiah took the throne. Not only did he throw open the doors of the Temple and call the priests and Levites back to work, but he began a campaign to bring the people of Judah back to offering sacrifices to God.

But don’t worry. This wasn’t a forced act of religion and repentance. Not everyone in Judah was willing to partake of the act of returning to God. Only those who were willing gave of their burnt offerings in sacrifice to God. But God performed a mighty act of repentance in the heart of the people. He stirred them to follow the Word of the Lord, and his hand was upon them. The people willingly obeyed the orders of the king. And when the priests and Levites obeyed the king by cleaning out the Temple and preparing it for worship, they were not just obeying the king but they were obeying the Word of the Lord that they had neglected for far too long.

You can read the full story of Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 28-31.

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. Proverbs 28:2

Let’s imagine that our great nation, the United States of America, elected a leader who declared that religion would come before politics. And not just any religion, but historic Christianity. Imagine the uproar that would take place. Those trying to eliminate Christianity from our country today would loudly cry foul. But just imagine if Christianity took hold today and actually became popular. Imagine the revival that would sweep our land. Imagine the wrongs that would be righted.

The leaders of our country have shown a huge neglect regarding the importance of faith. The changes that have been implemented in recent years have moved our country away from the faith of our forefathers and moved us into a time of moral rot. We must do better than this if our country is to retain any symbol of conscience and morality, not only for the sake of our country but for those countries that depend on our support and leadership. We have failed as a nation, and we are paying for it.

Unfortunately, if sweeping changes aren’t made soon, it may be too late for America. Like Israel and Judah, any nation that turns its back on God will be punished. Why can any nation expect to be shown favor by God when they don’t show favor to Him? It’s time for a revival in our land. It’s time to wake up, America, and repent of our national sins. We must open the doors of our churches and clean out the ungodly teachings that have been introduced, because some churches no longer preach biblical truth. We can no longer count on all churches that call themselves Christian to actually be Christian.

We have to know that God didn’t promise to protect and bless America if we stayed true to him as he did Israel. Israel was and always will be his favored nation, so we have no business claiming that he will honor our nation that has strayed from obeying him. God alone will decide the nations he will bless and the nations he will abandon. That doesn’t mean we can walk away from him at any time and still demand his favor. We must repent and stay true to his calling on our country to follow his commands.

He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them. Job 12:23

We must pray that our political leaders and future leaders will lead our nation back to God, after they have repented. It only takes one to start a revival. Let’s pray that one godly leader can be found among us to lead us back to the fold of God’s favor.

When God calls a nation to repent, godly leaders will rise to lead. Those leaders may not be the ones assumed to be the top choice or best representatives, but they will be those who are faithful to God’s call. And God will mold these leaders to be strong in their faith and courageous in their convictions. Then the work must begin in earnest to turn the culture around to true religion and morality in the manner that God intended.

Why not allow the Good News of the Gospel message and clear rational thinking to become the order of the day? It is not too late.

~~Judge Phil Ginn

The Representative

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Some people say that being good is good enough. Yet the Bible tells us that we’re only evil all the time.  Evil doesn’t come from God. It comes from the evil one, Satan himself. So regardless of how good and kind and nice we may be, if we aren’t living in step with God we’re walking in step with Satan. It’s that simple. The truth is hard to swallow. We don’t want to believe that we’re inherently bad.

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. Genesis 6:5

Satan masquerades as an angel of light, so his advances in the life of one who isn’t living for God may be enjoyable. It may be full of good things. Satan makes life without God appear attractive, because he wants your soul. Satan has no love for anyone, so he will fool even the kindest, most gracious person into believing they can live a fulfilling life without God.

Even Christians have a longing for more. We know deep down that our deepest longings won’t be satisfied this side of heaven. So we long for eternity with Christ. That will be the ultimate fulfillment of every longing we’ve ever had. But unrepentant nonbelievers who are attempting to fulfill their longings on this earth in any way possible without God are sadly marching straight into an eternity in hell. 

When God created us, he said his creation was good. When we are living against God’s will, we are God’s goodness distorted. Original sin is born and bred in each of us. There’s no way out of it. God didn’t intend for those made in his image to fall into sin, but Adam and Eve’s sin can’t be reversed. And it has impacted the lives of everyone born since then. The intent to sin is a part of our human nature.

While watching a tv show recently, I heard one of the characters say “We can do a whole lot of good by breaking one little rule.” It got me thinking. We can justify wrong behavior anytime we want. But does that make it right? In this made-for-tv situation, the act of breaking a rule would save someone’s life. So in the medical drama, the doctors broke the rule and saved the life of one who would have died. But does that make it right? Are we ever justified in breaking the rule or law in order to do good? Some would say yes. Others might say no. That’s an in-depth discussion for another day.

The thing is. Without God, our natural bent is toward evil. That doesn’t mean we’re all capable of murder or some other horrible crime in our current state of mind, but if we give in one temptation at a time, who knows the level we are capable of stooping to and calling it justified. We are selfish, self-centered people when we choose to live without God.

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephesians 2:1-2

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:28-32

The apostle Paul tells us that as believers we are representing Christ. So if we aren’t believers, we’re representatives of Satan. There is good news! We can change sides and start representing Christ. It’s a simple matter, but it’s an act of self sacrifice and obedience to Christ. The dividends are out of this world, though.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

Those who haven’t chosen to represent Christ can do so today. Confess your sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. He will wipe your slate clean and will never remember your sins. You are a new child of God, and you represent Jesus Christ your Savior. Do it today while there is still time. Eternity is just around the corner.

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:10-14

If I Could Turn Back Time

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I wonder. Did Abraham ever look back and regret asking Sarah to tell others she was his sister? Did he ever regret having a son with his wife’s servant? Did Lot ever regret choosing the land near Sodom and Gomorrah? Did he regret not asking Abraham for recommendations for future husbands for his daughters instead of choosing men who scoffed at God’s commands? Did Lot’s daughters ever regret having children with their drunken father? Would Abraham roll over in his grave today if he knew all the trouble his descendants from Ishmael caused throughout history?

Did Jacob ever regret tricking his brother not once, but twice? Did he finally understand how awful it felt to be deceived after his father-in-law turned the tables on him? Did Esau ever regret hating his brother? Did Rebekah ever regret advising Jacob to deceive his father? Did David regret seducing Bathsheeba and having her husband killed in battle? Did Adam and Eve ever regret taking a bite of the forbidden fruit? Did Cain regret killing his brother, Abel? Did Jonah regret running from God? 

We could got through the entire Bible and read about the incidents that could cause one to face regrets at a later date. Our Bible heroes weren’t perfect people. They too had moments of failure and messed up their lives. And sometimes it was in big, unrepairable ways. Some of them caused problems for future generations of their family. And they never saw or felt the full impact of their sins because they died beforehand.

We may never know the true impact our sinful actions may cause others. We may never see the final result of our sins. Our families may be the ones who are faced with life-altering circumstances because of our failures. Tragedies may fall on our loved ones because of our decisions. Do we take future consequences into consideration when we act without thinking?

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Acts 3:19

The regret of “if only” is real. If only I hadn’t said those words. If only I would have said it differently. If only I hadn’t gone there with her. If only I had driven myself. If only I had said “no.” If only I had said “yes.” If only I hadn’t spent so much money. If only I hadn’t accepted that awful job. If only I hadn’t eaten all that food. If only I hadn’t looked at that website. And the list could go on and never end. 

I recently read an article about the apostle Paul’s prayers. It was mentioned that rarely did he pray for his wants and needs. Sure. We know the story of his prayers for God to remove the thorn in his flesh. And he also asked his fellow believers to pray for his safety while traveling and preaching the gospel. But he never prays for his belly to be full. Or for a closet full of clothes. He doesn’t ask God to help him get approved for the mortgage he can’t afford. He doesn’t pray to find a godly wife or to have children. In fact, he doesn’t even pray for his situation to change. Not even while he sits in prison. Instead. He prays for his spiritual needs. And perhaps it’s time for us to pray more for our own spiritual needs instead of our physical needs and wants. I wonder, if we did that, how many fewer “if only” moments would we experience in life.

Regrets and “if onlys” don’t have to break us. We can use our past struggles to help mentor other struggling believers who are seeking guidance We can learn from our sins to help guide others who are struggling with sin. We can become disciplers of new believers and teach them to live a godly life and become strong followers of Christ. We can use what we’ve learned from our mistakes to help others not make the same poor decisions. 

The thing is. We can’t go back. We can’t undo what we’ve done. We can only go forward, while we look back with regret. We can’t change the past, but we can be forgiven for our past sins. We won’t forget the wrongs we have committed against God and others, but we can have our slate wiped clean from sin. We can’t turn back time, but God can turn our hearts around to following him. We can live redeemed only when we repent and stop sinning. Forgiveness may not change the consequences of our sins, but it will change our eternity.

Does Your God Fall Over?

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

The Israelites were at it again. They had turned their backs on God again. And again. And God kept reminding them through his prophets that if they didn’t repent and return to obeying him, they would be severely punished. But they didn’t listen. They made their own gods and worshipped them. But when life got tough. When the drought and famine came along, and neighboring countries defeated them, then they cried out to God. Where are you? They asked. Why aren’t you taking care of us? And all the time God had been speaking through his prophet to turn back to him, they had ignored him. And now they wanted his help.

“When you tell the people all these things, they will ask, ‘Why has the Lord decreed such terrible things against us? What have we done to deserve such treatment? What is our sin against the Lord our God?’ “Then you will give them the Lord ’s reply: ‘It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me and did not obey my word. And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me. So I will throw you out of this land and send you into a foreign land where you and your ancestors have never been. There you can worship idols day and night—and I will grant you no favors!’ Jeremiah 16:10-13

We can’t just fall in step with the majority and worship the god of the moment. Whatever is visually appealing isn’t what should take priority in our lives. We see in Isaiah that the Son of God was not attractive at all. He was ordinary to a fault. Yet he was God. He was worthy of our praise, our adoration and our allegiance.

This is what the Lord says: “Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them. Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol. They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over. Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”
Jeremiah 10:2‭‭-‬5 NLT

I wonder what God would say to us today. Does his rebuke still stand? We in this world who have made our own gods out of so many man-made items. Do our gods stand on their own today? Or do they fall over?

As long as it’s still today, we have time to repent and turn from our false gods. What do you say we do that? Let’s not make unto ourselves any graven images. Let’s serve the God who is fully capable all on his own of doing anything and everything.

I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost; Christianity without Christ; forgiveness without repentance; salvation without regeneration; politics without God; and Heaven without Hell.

William Booth

The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power. Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed. But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Jeremiah 10:14-16

How many gods do we need? After all, there is only one true God who rules the universe. All other gods are man-made who can do nothing. They’re worthless. Why do we spend so much time worshipping them? They can’t hear us when we pray. They don’t know our needs. They do nothing for us but leave us feeling empty.

Look now, people of Judah; you have as many gods as you have towns. You have as many altars of shame—altars for burning incense to your god Baal—as there are streets in Jerusalem. “Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, for I will not listen to them when they cry out to me in distress. Jeremiah 11:13-14

I know, Lord , that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. Jeremiah 10:23

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

Why not worship the one God, the one true God who knew us before we were even born? The God who knows the number of hairs on our heads. He who created us knows everything about us. The number of days we will live. He knows everything we will do and say. He knows the good, the bad, and the ugly. And he still loves us. He’s ordained our lives from the moment of conception to our final breath. He’s created us to worship the Creator of life, not the creation. How often do we consider the One who created all things?

Does your god fall over? Can your god pick you up when you’ve been let down? When life is crashing all around, does your god comfort you? If you feel comforted for awhile, does the comfort last? When you need your god the most, is he available? Does he hear you? Or provide for you? Do you trust your god?

Come every one who is thirsty in spirit;
Come, every one who is weary and sad.
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus –
All that you’re longing for; Come and be glad!

I will pour water on him that is thirsty;
I will pour floods upon the dry ground.
Open your heart for the gifts I am bringing;
While ye are seeking Me I will be found.

Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage?
Weary of earth-joys, so false, so untrue?
Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing?
List to the promise, a message for you.

Child of the Kingdom, be filled with the Spirit!
Nothing but fullness thy longing can meet.
’Tis the enduement for life and for service.
Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet! 

Lucy Rider Meyer

One Nation Under God

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Yes. We are a nation under God. Whether we act like it or not. Whether we live like it or not. God is still and always will be in control.  Oh. We’re living in troubled times. That’s for sure. Racial injustice. Unnecessary killings. Mob violence. Anarchy. Selfish demands. Pandemic. Unemployment.

But we are still a nation under God. He is in control. He is allowing this mess to happen. He knows exactly why these things are taking place. And he is letting us run rampant in our sin.

We’ve done this to ourselves. You know that.

Oh. This country was founded on religious freedom. Our forefathers left one country to find a place where they could freely worship God. How far we’ve come from that. It seems that now we worship anything but God. Anything and everything has become our god.

Will we ever learn? Will we ever fall on our knees and repent? As a nation, will we ever put God first? When was the last mass revival of people repenting and turning to God? We keep digging our nation deeper and deeper into sin.

We are warned in the Bible that there will be all kinds of trouble in the last days. The thing is. The people who lived in Bible times thought they had it bad. They were sure that Jesus was coming back soon. And look. It’s been how many years since that time? Thousands of years. And the times are even worse now.

You should know that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

2 Timothy 3:1-5

The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. Numbers 14:18

Israel was also a nation under God. And they disobeyed him time and time again. Look where it got them. They were torn apart. Two separate kingdoms. Yes. There were times when God gave them what they wanted. They wanted their own king. Why? Because they wanted to be like all the other nations. Instead of being content with serving God and listening to the prophet’s words, they wanted a king. So God gave them a king. And that king failed them.

God had promised to bless the nation of Israel for generations. He doesn’t renege on his promises. But they lost faith in him. They turned to other gods. They lived for their own pleasure and not for God. And after a time, their neighbors attacked them. Took them prisoner in their own land. Made them pay heavy taxes. Made them slaves. And finally. Finally. They remembered the times of their ancestors. When life was good. They knew the stories of how their ancestors lived in peace with themselves and with their neighboring countries and with God. So they turned back to God. Repented of their sins. He heard their cries and forgave them. They regained their freedom and their good name. Aahhhh. Life was good. Again.

But as time went by. The cycle repeated itself. Over and over. They walked away from God. Thought their fake idols were better than the real God. They ignored God’s leading. They did their own thing, because it was easier than obeying God. So, here we are today. The sins of the fathers have crept into every generation.

No. We’re not the Israelites. They were God’s chosen people, but they chose not to stay faithful to him. We in this country feel special. We feel chosen. We believe we’re the greatest nation on earth. We’re only great if we are following God’s leading. But no. We removed prayer from schools and called it separation of church and state. We kill unborn babies and call it freedom of choice. We approve every form of lifestyle and call it pride. We’ve disregarded morals and call it authenticity. We worship created things rather than the Creator and call it good.

The thing is. God will not impose his will on us. He will not make us repent. Oh. He could. But he won’t. We have to want to change. We have to accept the outreached hand of forgiveness before it’s too late.

We can change.  One household at a time. One heart at a time. Let’s truly be one nation under God.

Signs of Spring

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I was driving home from running a few errands. After being isolated in the house all week, it felt good to get out and see a little bit of the world. I saw a neighbor and his toddler son working on their lawn mower. I noticed a family of four sitting outside a sandwich shop eating lunch. Most likely, it was their first excursion of the week, too. As I drove, I saw new signs of spring. I realized some trees had already started budding and blooming. I saw some green on trees. Then I noticed white flowers. I knew that soon I would see pinks and purples. The new colors almost take my breath away, as I paused to think of the times we are in.

I remembered the forsythia bush in my back yard. Yellow has never been my go to color, but this spring it jumps out at me as a sign of new life. Rumor has it that snow will fall three times after the forsythia blooms. But this year, there’s no more prediction of snow. Instead, there’s the prediction of illness and possible death. Quarantine. Social distancing. Shelter in place. Face coverings.

But when I see the first signs of spring, I know that new life is forming. The dull color of winter is fading. The gray trees will soon be alive with flowers and leaves. Grass will grow again. Tulips and peonies. Roses and hydrangeas. Zinnias and irises. Fruits and vegetables. All the signs that life goes on are springing into sight. I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that when death can happen so suddenly these days, that life also comes in unexpected moments.

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

I think of the other season we’re in. It’s the week after Easter. I think of the plan that was fulfilled as an innocent man was put on trial and sentenced to death. Nailed to a cross he never should have been on. Placed in a tomb that wasn’t his. He died a death that didn’t need to happen. But oh. It did. Because out of that death and those days in the tomb, arose a new life that cannot be denied. Oh. It is denied by some. But regardless, the new life that came from that tomb has put the world on notice. That new life is available to all who call on the name of Jesus.

He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. And in that sacrifice that ended in his death, new life arose from the tomb. That new life brought hope and healing. Forgiveness and fellowship. Sacrifice and sacred selflessness.

For centuries, the stories of this one man’s life and death have been told and told again. Truth has been shared. Lives have been changed. New life blooms each time a soul repents and a heart is changed.

Sure. The truth of his life and death has been denied. There are those who doubt and choose to ignore his miraculous new life. But the truth still stands. And on a day unexpected, everyone will bow and acknowledge this new life. Whether they believed or not, they will bow at the appointed time.

When the veil in the temple was torn in two, new life was claimed.  Direct access to God was now available when that fabric ripped from top to bottom. Day or night. 24/7. God is available at a moment’s notice. The veil was no longer needed. New life. New approach to the throne of God. Immediate access to God Almighty was now available.

When the scales fell from Saul’s eyes, new life began. The one who once hunted believers became a believer. His sins were washed away by the Savior of the ones he hunted. His new life frightened those who didn’t trust him. Others saw the change and accepted the new life for themselves.

 There was a massive earthquake that night when Paul and Silas were in jail. When the jailer thought his prisoners had escaped, he thought wrong. If they had, he thought to kill himself rather than be killed by others. But no one had escaped. He asked what he must do to be saved. Instead of ending his own life that night, he found a new life in Christ.

For the sake of everyone’s souls, the time is ripe for new life. New life with sins forgiven. Guilt and shame are a thing of the past. Bondage removed. Regret dissolved. The old life is gone. A new life has begun. May His name be praised!

When the Mighty Fall

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Oh. Jeffrey Epstein. How powerful do you feel now? Are you walking on streets of gold? Are you living in a mansion? Is your eternal life better than your life on earth?

Did your life end the way you had always thought it would? Did you think you would die under questionable circumstances alone in a jail cell? Were you alone? Or would you have preferred to be surrounded by beautiful women in a party atmosphere on your private island? Or in your seven-story New York townhome?

Oh. You made the news. Jeffrey. You’ve lived a questionable life. Very questionable. Was your death intentional? If so, why weren’t you unwilling to face your accusers? Were they telling the truth, and the hammer was about to come down on you once and for all? Or was it someone else’s last ditch effort to silence you? Or to pay you back? Most likely, we’ll never know.

But there is One who knows everything about you. Oh. You will never again have to stand in front of a judge to be tried for your alleged offenses. But you have now stood before the Judge and Creator of the universe. How did that go for you? You couldn’t pay your way out of your eternal destiny, now could you? I honestly don’t know where you are right now. Jeffrey. Are you living the life you’ve always wanted? Or are you in the darkest pits of hell? Are you with your Creator, God Almighty? Or are you with the enemy of your soul, satan himself? Are you basking in glory? Or are you writhing in agony and torment?

You may be sure that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:32

Let’s imagine, Jeffrey, that with your last breath you cried out to God to forgive you. Let’s imagine that you are walking the streets of gold. Let’s imagine that when you stood before God to be judged there was a red streak of Jesus’ blood across your record of sins. And that your sins have been made white as snow. They’ve been erased. Let’s imagine that you’ve been forgiven and are now a child of God. You are in heaven. It’s possible that happened.

But then. Let’s imagine another scenario. A darker scenario. Let’s imagine that instead of crying out to God with your last breath, you uttered his name in blasphemy. Let’s imagine that you drew your final breath in hate and bitterness. Let’s imagine that your name was not in the Book of Life and that you were cast into the depths of hell. There’s no turning back from that torture.

Were you laughing at those who were gunning for you and your every dollar? Thumbing your nose at the many who have accused you of indecent and inappropriate behavior. Waving your money to buy you a mansion in your eternal home. But it doesn’t work that way. Jeffrey. You can’t buy or work your way into heaven.

The public may never know the truth. And maybe that’s for the best. Perhaps we don’t need to know how you acquired your wealth. I’ve read that the acquisition of your riches was not necessarily honorable. What was it that caused you to think you were above the law? You chose to run in social circles that many would envy. Politicians. Billionaires. Royalty. Beautiful women. Private island retreat. Private jet. But how did you accumulate what you owned? Why did you crave that lifestyle? Why unwilling young women?

Were you surprised when the cops came to your house and rammed the massive wood door? Oh. You weren’t there. You were already in jail. Did you wonder if they had finally uncovered your deepest darkest secrets? Did you wonder if you had finally been found out? Did you breathe a deep sigh of relief that now the game was over? Or did you breathe short struggling anxious breaths knowing that the true fight had just begun?

Jeffrey. You’re now in eternity. You’ve breathed your last breath. Fought your last fight. Earned or stolen your last dollar. You’ve been judged and have received your final reward or punishment. God only knows what the truth is. He’s the only one who knows the truth. But you are an example to many who are living life on the fringes. Knowing what’s right but doing what’s wrong. Looking out for yourself and pushing others to bow to your wishes. That’s no longer an option for you.

May those of us who still live and breathe choose to follow the Lord God Almighty. May we choose to bow to Him before we’ve taken that last breath. When there is still time to choose heaven. Because our sins will always find us out. We will be held accountable. Just as you have. Jeffrey.