Repentance

July 25th – Leviticus 10:3

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Leviticus 10:3

The High Priest was considered the greatest religious position of all who served at the temple. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was appointed the first one by God. But unlike Jesus, our perfect High Priest, Aaron was far from sinless. Time and again when put to the test, he stumbled. And although he received God’s forgiveness, Aaron experienced heartbreaking consequences for his compromise and sin. His story reminds us that no matter the circumstance, God requires complete obedience; demanding the honor He alone deserves. Yet even in those times when we fall into sin, our hearts can still find joy. For God’s grace and mercy knows no bounds. And when we come to Him in repentance, He is quick to redeem and restore us. So the next time we are faced with compromising or obeying, we would do well to remember Aaron. He learned the hard way that we serve a holy God who insists on being treated as such.

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July 9th – Psalm 32:11

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Psalm 32:11

We all know the story of the adulterous woman. The one caught in the act of her sin. This woman could easily be you or I.  Although our sin may not be adultery, we sin just the same. And as Christians, we would do well to humbly remember all Jesus forgives us for daily. Especially before judging the sin of another. Thankfully when it comes to sin, we can experience the sweet forgiveness of the Lord through confession and repentance. No matter the transgression, when we come to God with a sorrowful heart, He is quick to pardon. Jesus didn’t condemn the adulterous women, refusing to throw the first stone. And He has no stones to throw at us either. So we can rejoice and celebrate! Because the forgiveness of the Lord not only results in an immediate restoration of our relationship with God, but a clean slate, and a fresh start!

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April 26th – Luke 23:32-43

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Luke 23: 32-43

Luke tells us as Jesus hung on the Cross, He wasn’t alone. Because two other men, each a criminal, hung on either side of Him. Have you ever wondered why there were three crosses that fateful day and the significance of each? The answer is redemption, repentance, and rejection. The cross which bore our Savior is one of redemption. Jesus our Redeemer died for the sins of the world. And with His blood we are reconciled with the Father. The other two crosses, the thieves which hung to His left and right, represent the choice we must make.

On one side of Christ was a thief hurling insults at Him, taunting the Lord to save them if He could. His is the cross of rejection. He didn’t receive Jesus as His Savior, nor was he sorry for all he had done. Instead he was simply searching for a way out of his predicament. On the other side was a man whose cross represents one of repentance. In faith and reverence he requests, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Christ’s answer? “Assuredly, I say to you today you will be with Me in Paradise.” So which cross will you choose? Eternal separation from God, or paradise with Jesus?

Blessings,

Sue

 

April 26th – Luke 23:32-43 Read More »

April 11th – Matthew 27:1-5

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Matthew 27:1-5

As one of the 12 disciples personally chosen by Jesus, Judas Iscariot was part of the inner sanctum. Yet the Bible tells us Judas was a devil, thief, unbeliever, and spiritually unclean. So why, knowing all of this beforehand, did the Lord pick him? Even before He came to be the sacrifice for our sins, Jesus knew all it would entail, and all He would have to endure. Yet willingly and joyfully, the Lamb of God came. He came to perfectly fulfill the plans of the Father. Even though sadly, part of those plans included Jesus being betrayed. That’s why, in perfect obedience, the Lord chose Judas.

The story of Judas teaches that an outward profession doesn’t mean genuine faith. We can play and look the part of a Christian, confessing all day long with our lips that Jesus is Lord. But unless we truly believe it in our hearts, we will not inherit eternal life. Judas also shows the destruction caused by the love of money and power. Because of his greed and desire of the worldly things money could buy, Judas committed the ultimate betrayal. That’s why the Bible warns us to run from the love of money and the deceitfulness of riches. And finally Judas painfully displays the difference between being sorry and repentant. Judas’ tragic end came not through regret of his actions, but because of the consequences they brought. His heart wasn’t grieved or repentant over the sin He committed against the Lord.

Many are the lessons we can learn from the disgraced disciple. Because if we’re honest, we too have sinned and at times betrayed the Lord. But if we come before Christ in search of humble forgiveness, and in true repentance, the Lord is quick to forgive and restore!

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October 19th – 1 John 3:9

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1 John 3:9

When we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become new creatures, “born of God.” Adopted children of the Most High, who receive His “spiritual DNA” through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And because of this indwelling, our spiritual hearts should long for a new way of life. One that no longer yearns to walk in sin, concerned only with fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. But instead one which strives to live in God’s perfect will, freed from our old, corrupt way of life. For as John tells us, if we knowingly and eagerly live in habitual sin, we should be questioning our relationship with the Lord. As fallen beings, we all sin and fail daily. But if our hearts and lives remained unchanged as Christians, we have a problem. And if we aren’t feeling convicted, remorseful, or ashamed of our sins, we need to re-examine our faith.

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September 18th – Jeremiah 5:24

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Jeremiah 5:24

Jeremiah was called the “weeping prophet” because of the tears he cried over the rebellious Israel. The wickedness of its people and the judgement their sins provoked, grieved Jeremiah greatly. And if he could see the condition of the world today, he would describe it as he did ancient Israel. “This people has a stubborn and rebellious heart.” (Jer. 5:23) Just like the Israelites, our society celebrates moral rottenness. The gospel and its message are being corrupted and perverted by false teachers and prophets. And like the days of Noah, we call good wicked and wicked good. The people of Israel were punished for their sins, and we will be too. For we have failed to learn from the example of God’s people, that fighting against God always leads to despair and destruction.  For just as He withheld the blessings of rain and harvest of Judah, unless we repent, God will do the same to us.

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September 5th – 85:12

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Psalm 85:12 

Israel was in turmoil. They had experienced invasion, exile, and internal division. The land was barren and the people suffering. All because they had turned their back on God. Yet the sons of Korah knew God had rescued Israel before, and so they pleaded to Him for restoration and revival once more. The current stage of our country is much like ancient Israel. We too have turned away from God. And now we are reaping the the consequences of that disastrous decision. And like the sons of Korah, we need to get our knees and cry out to God. For without His hand of blessing our upon our country, it is doomed. We His people, need to repent and return to our Father in heaven. And pray that in His great righteousness, God will not withhold what it is good. That He will instead revive our country and send all we need to be a fruitful, obedient land dedicated to producing a bountiful harvest for the Lord.

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August 27th – 1 John 1:9

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1 John 1:9

Being human means without exception, we all falter. Even the most diligent Christian sins daily. And sometimes that sin leads to terrible, painful consequences. Yet no matter how bad we screw up, one consequence we will never face is the loss of God’s love. The Bible is very clear, nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. (Rom. 8:38-39) But the sins we commit break our sweet fellowship with the Lord. They interrupt our walk with Him, causing us to stray off the path of righteousness. Yet even so, when we come back to God in confession and true repentance, He is faithful to forgive our sins, declare us innocent, and welcome us into His loving arms. For we don’t serve an angry, vengeful, grudge holding God. Instead we are children of a loving, merciful Father who not only forgives us completely, He removes all trace of them, remembering them never again! (Psalm 103:12)

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August 2nd – Jeremiah 31:3

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Jeremiah 31:3

No matter the miracles God performed, the blessings He bestowed, or the rescues He delivered, Israel repeatedly turned against Him. Yet though they were disloyal and disobedient, God never abandoned His chosen people. And all because of His everlasting love. A love that He generously gives to all who love Him, including us.

And just like Israel, when we turn away from God, He never turns away from us. He may discipline us, distant Himself from us, or allow us to suffer the consequences of our actions. But He will never forsake us or stop loving us. For His love is perfect, true, and everlasting. And out of that love, no matter who we are or what we do, when we come to Him in repentance, Go will always restore us back to Himself. So in the midst of troubles and trials, we can find joy knowing that when we run to God, He will welcome us with open arms.

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June 18th – Acts 17:31

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Acts 17:31

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Ignorance of the law is no defense. ”With all of their culture, reasoning and education, the Athenians were ignorant when it came to the one true God. And so along with the gospel, Paul gave them a stern warning. Soon God’s Son, Jesus Christ, would be returning to judge the earth and its people. And no longer would God overlook the ignorance of those who reject Him. This warning Paul gave to the Athenians, he gives to us as well. The time for ignorance is over. Now is the time for repentance. For the days are growing darker and the appointed day will soon be upon us. Christ in all of His glory will be retuning to judge the world in righteousness. And ignorance of the Lord will be no defense.

 

June 18th – Acts 17:31 Read More »