Sin Weight

I John 1:7 (KJV) Says, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." John 8:12 (KJV) Says, "Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall  have the light of life."

The above verse of scripture taken from I John tells us that when Jesus died on the cross for our sins we were washed clean. It doesn't say partially clean, but clean. Once we ask forgiveness for our sins, repent of them, and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior we are new creatures in Him,, and our sins are totally washed away. Both of the above verses of scripture tell us that Jesus is the light of the world. Knowing this to be true because it comes directly from the Word of God then why would we ever allow ourselves to feel as though we are walking in darkness? The answer to this question for many people is sin weight.

There are many people who feel as though their sins have somehow been so great that there is no way God could ever forgive them, and so they continue to carry them around feeling weighed down and burdened by them. The truth of the matter is that God will forgive us if we go to Him in prayer and ask Him to. The problem for people carrying sin weight is not that God hasn't forgiven them, but that they cannot forgive themselves.

We must remember that there is no one perfect, but Jesus Christ. Every human being sins, and that is documented in God's Word. Romans 3:23 (KJV) Says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We must also remember that sin is sin. Not one place in the Bible can we find a list of sins in order of their severity. There are people who would like for you to believe that such a list exists, and that the sins they have committed are so minor that they failed to make the list, but this is simply not true. Jesus suffering and dying on the cross for our sins, He himself being sinless, was the ultimate sacrifice. It was a sacrifice of such magnitude that it paid every individuals sin debt in full.

The price Jesus paid for our sins to be washed away was enormous, and we must not hold onto some sin that we as human beings feel is so great that the sacrifice He made for us didn't quite cover it. God forgives us when we ask His forgiveness and repent of our sins turning away from our wrong doings. This is not to say that we should commit sin purposely knowing all we have to do is ask forgiveness and we will be forgiven. It is to say that even as we  live our lives in obedience to God being human, we will still commit sins for which we are to ask forgiveness and repent.

If you are carrying around the weight of sin and you are a born again believer, I urge you to remind yourself of the great sacrifice paid for that sin, to ask forgiveness for it, to repent of it, and to let it go. I encourage you to remember that you are a child of God, that you were created in His very own image, and that he loves you tremendously. I urge you to remember that He is loving, kind, forgiving, merciful, and all things good. I urge you to step out of the darkness, and walk in his light remembering who you are in Him.

If you are carrying around sin weight and you have never come to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so immediately. Simply go to God in prayer ask Him to forgive you of your sins, repent of those sins, tell Him you believe that Jesus was born, that He died on the cross for your sins, and that He rose again. Ask Him to come into your heart, and be your Lord and Savior. The greatest and most important decision you will ever make in your life is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and my prayer for you is that you do so while you have the opportunity.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, send me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." II Corinthians 4:18 (KJV) Says, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

In the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Isaiah, we are promised that if we keep our minds on God and trust Him He will provide us with perfect peace. Please note that He doesn't just promise us peace, but rather a perfect peace. This is a peace that is only attainable by keeping our focus on God, and trusting Him with all things. It is a peace that is divine, and can come only from our Heavenly Father. The above verse of scripture taken from II Corinthians  instructs us to look at the things which are not seen because the things that we can see are of this world, and are only temporary. The things we can't see are eternal, and those are the things we should be focused on. We can't see God's plan for our lives, but we know we can trust him because he doesn't make mistakes, He has power over all people and things, He loves us tremendously, He has never broken a promise, and His timing is perfect. When we surrender our life to Him and allow Him to lead, guide, and direct our path we will find perfect peace, comfort, joy, and security of a magnitude so great it cannot be matched by anything earthly.

We all search for security whether it be in our jobs, in our finances, our relationships, or any other area of our life we feel is out of control. Many people somehow feel that if they could gain control of everything in their life they could finally feel secure, relax, and be at peace. The harder we try to control events in our own lives, however, the more things seem to spiral out of control and the more agitated and frustrated we become. The reason for this is that true security and divine peace are not of this world, and we can never attain them without God's help.

If we desire divine peace we must remain focused on God, and put our full trust in Him. We must focus our attention on His presence, and not on things of this world. If we build and maintain a strong personal relationship with God through prayer, reading and studying His Word, meditating on it, listening and looking for him to lead and guide us, attend worship services, and fellowship with other believers leaving all our problems to God we will experience His perfect peace.

Trusting God and surrendering our life fully to Him seems to be something many people resist for various reasons of their own. You could ask these same individuals if they thought they had more control over situations that arise than  Almighty God does, and they would more than likely say they did not, but yet they continue to fight for control in their lives refusing to let go and trust Him.

Why would anyone want to struggle so desperately to hold onto issues and situations that they have absolutely no way of controlling, when they could turn it all over to God who is all-knowing, omnipresent,  and all-powerful? There is nothing to difficult for God. When you look at it that way it doesn't seem even remotely reasonable to struggle so hard for control in lieu of turning things over to Him.

Do you struggle and work hard at attempting to gain peace in your life? Do you leave God out of every problem and situation you face? Do you go to God only after you're frustrated and exhausted, exclaiming you don't know what else to do? If so, I urge you to change the order of things, and take your cares to God first. Build a close personal relationship with him, and be constantly aware of His presence, and His power. It is only in surrendering to Him that we can finally learn what it means to truly relax, and experience perfect peace. I urge you to simply let go and let God.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, send me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.

God's Blessings In My Darkest Hour

Psalm 46:1 (KJV) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

God will give you strength and comfort, and He will wrap His loving arms around you as He walks beside you through your storms. I encourage you to praise him for his goodness even in the midst of those storms.

Praising God even in times of trouble is extremely important first and foremost because His Word  instructs us to do so. Secondly, when we choose to praise Him in our storms He blesses us. He will provide love, comfort, strength, and  all we need to make it through even the mightiest of storms. I know first hand that if you pay attention you will recognize that God blesses us in bad times just as He does in the good.

I am currently walking through the mightiest storm I've ever faced in my life, and the entire way I've seen God show up, and I've felt his presence as He provides me with the strength and comfort I so desperately need. I very recently lost my Daddy. He was my hero, a man I loved, appreciated, respected, and admired tremendously, and God has been with me every step of the way.

I talked to my Daddy on the phone on a regular basis. I would phone him for a chat, and he would also phone me for the same. These chats are now treasured memories that coincide with the precious memories made during the time I spent with him over the years. One evening Daddy phoned me like he had so many times before, but there was something different about this conversation, and the tone in his voice. His tone was serious and he told me he had been thinking about some things that he wanted to tell me. He wanted to discuss events, occasions, and memories that we had shared throughout my life. We discussed things we had never discussed before, and I knew then that he wanted to have this conversation because he was ill. I attempted to joke with him, and told him he didn't have to talk about anything he didn't want to because he was going to live to be at least a hundred years old. His response was that he felt he needed to talk about these things, and that he wanted to do so while he had the opportunity. I listened intently with a lump in my throat the size of a softball and tears rolling down my cheeks. We had a long, in depth conversation. It was priceless. I shared this story to point out that God afforded us the opportunity to have that conversation. I recognize it as the great blessing from God it was, and I praise and thank Him for it.

I caught a cold, and couldn't visit Daddy the week prior to his going into the hospital, but I recovered from that cold quicker than any cold I've ever had. With my cold gone I was able to spend  the following week with him. We sat in his living room all day Monday and Tuesday talking and watching television together, and I truly treasure those hours of uninterrupted Daddy time. I was able to visit him in the hospital that Wednesday and Thursday, and be with him at his home Friday through Monday which was the day the Lord called him home. God cured my cold with a quickness affording me this opportunity, and I recognize it as another blessing rained down on me in the midst of my storm.


 Daddy was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, and was discharged on Friday.  From that point forward I had one friend, who rarely left my side, other friends and family volunteering to do anything I needed or wanted them to do. God bless them all. We were given the option of sending Daddy to a hospice facility or taking him home and having hospice come out. My siblings and I chose the latter. We placed a hospital bed in his living room and opened the blinds so he had a view of his front yard, because he loved the outdoors. Daddy had many visitors that Friday evening, and all day and night on Saturday. Sunday morning we were advised by hospice that he didn't have much time left here on earth, and so from that point forward my siblings, my Daddy's siblings, our cousins, friends, and other family members remained with him. I was able to reunite and once again grow close to family members and friends that had over the years drifted away. It was over the course of these few days that I saw what an impact my Daddy had on so many people, how he had touched so many lives, and how much he loved and was loved in return. My siblings and I gathered around my Daddy's bed in the early evening on Monday, and we told him how much we appreciated him, respected him, loved him, and what a great Daddy he had been to each of us, and within moments God called him home. Over the space of those few days God provided time for those who loved Daddy to spend precious moments with him. God showed every individual present what unconditional love truly looks like by working through Daddy and the multitude of visitors who came by to express sympathy, and to say how much he meant to them. God afforded my siblings and I priceless moments with our Daddy in his final days, He demonstrated for us what it meant to love one another unconditionally, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, and gave us a visual that confirmed our Daddy obeyed that commandment. God blessed us with this lesson in the eye of the worst storm any of us had ever faced.

We had an appointment at the funeral home the next morning to make arrangements for Daddy, and my siblings and I were accompanied by four of his sisters, our cousin Gail, and a man Daddy thought of as a brother. My siblings and I agreed on everything with ease because we knew our Daddy well, but there were a couple of things that we did not agree with his 2nd wife of only three years about. She is not our mother. Daddy had no children with this woman. Wanting no discord, I interrupted that meeting, and ask everyone to join hands so I could pray. I told God He knew my Daddy, and that he was a peaceful man. I ask God to intervene on the decision making and lead us all to a peaceful compromise allowing us to continue making the difficult decisions that were before us. God showed up and blessed us with the strength, comfort, and peace needed to carry out the planning of our Daddy's funeral service, and we did so without incident. Yet another praise in our storm.

Finally, during the viewing held for my father, I saw so much love, support, comfort, and unity among family and friends that it was overwhelming. Without hesitation a great friend, at my request, sat with me as I watched the tribute to my Daddy made up of photographs that were put to music. I wanted to watch it, but it wasn't something I felt I could do alone. She was there for me at a moment when I needed her and I'm so very grateful for that. God's timing is perfect, and may He bless her. I looked up at one point and was shocked to see a friend  from my elementary school years standing in the hallway; a friend I love dearly. I had not seen her in years, and when I saw her standing there it truly meant a great deal to me. She affirmed to me how much she loved our family, and I responded by telling her that I felt the same way about hers. After all these years, she once again referred to us as "buds." Her being there touched and warmed my heart. Yet another blessing from God in the midst of a storm.

I was standing alone at the grave side, when I felt an arm go around me in comfort and I was so very grateful.  I looked to my right and saw another long time friend who I also love dearly. She showed up and stood by me literally when I needed her most. Thank you God for putting her right there at that exact moment. I was reunited with family members, friends I had grown up with, friends I had worked with, and I saw numerous smiles on the faces of those people as they shared their memories of my precious Daddy. I witnessed God blessing me and my family in many ways, and He did so repeatedly in our darkest hour.

I encourage you to pay attention as you walk through the storms you're faced with in life. You don't have to look hard to see God's blessings, or feel His strength, comfort, and loving arms around you in times of trouble, you just have to pay attention. He's there blessing you, giving you strength and comfort, and wrapping His loving arms around you. I urge you to praise and thank God for all He does for you, and to remember that He is working for you, and blessing you even in your darkest hour.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.

Gifted

I Corinthians 12:4-11 (KJV) Says, "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will."

The above passage of scripture tells us that there are various types of gifts all given to individual believers by the Holy Spirit. It also tells us that some people are given the same gifts and utilize them in different ways. Although our gifts may vary or be alike, the same God works through each of us. This passage of scripture also makes clear to us that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERY man which clearly informs us that as believers in Christ we are ALL gifted.

Many believers go through life without ever recognizing or acknowledging their God given gift or gifts.  These gifts are to be utilized by God when working through us in service to Him. We are born with a freewill, however, and can therefore choose whether or not we will surrender our lives to Him, and follow the path He has laid out for us. Some believers although aware that there are things they are gifted at, fail to recognize these areas of skill as the God given gifts that they are. If every member of every Christian congregation worldwide identified their spiritual gift or gifts, and used them in service to the Lord the work that would be accomplished for the Lord would be astounding.

Not only are we given gifts from God, we are created by Him in his very image. I urge you to take a moment to ponder the fact that you were created by Almighty God Himself, in His own image, and that you are gifted.  If you are one who suffers from low self-esteem, the next time you feel down I encourage you to remind yourself of who you are in Christ, and of the gifts He's given you. I further encourage you to step out in faith allowing God to use the gifts He's given you by working through you to do work in service to Him.

Allowing your God given gifts to waste is compatible to owning a fine tuned piano that no one ever plays. There is no way to hear the beautiful music that can come from such a wonderful instrument, if it is left alone to collect dust. I encourage you to remember who you are in Christ, and to use your God given gifts in service to Him. I have no doubt that in so doing you will experience a joy, comfort, and a divine peace like you have never before known.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.

Anchored

Hebrews 6:18-20 (KJV) Says, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

Beginning at the end of verse 18, we find that three pictures are used to demonstrate the security of being in Christ, and being anchored to Him. It is first described as being a safe retreat for us as were the six cities of refuge set aside in the Old Testament for those in need of a safe haven. Being in Christ provides us protection, strength, comfort, and a divine peace which is far greater than any earthly peace could ever be, and it provides us with anything and everything else we could ever possibly need. Secondly the above scripture makes clear that our hope in Him is sure and steadfast just like a well-placed, unbendable anchor. As believers, our anchor is  not located in the deepest sea, but rather in the highest heaven. The third figure mentioned above is that of a forerunner, and our forerunner is Jesus. He is positioned in the sanctuary of Heaven, and has opened the way before us, that we may rest assured that we will eventually and certainly enter in with Him.

Having been born with a freewill, we can make the choice as to who or what we will anchor to, placing our trust in, depending on, and having faith that it will sustain us. Some people anchor themselves to their careers feeling as though they can depend on their social status, the amount of money they make, or some worldly possession to sustain them, and bring them peace and happiness. These people never consider the fact that their social status can drop, they could lose their job, and all their worldly possessions; or more importantly that these things can do absolutely nothing for us when we are faced with the trials and tribulations that come upon each of us in life.

When we are anchored in Christ we are anchored to a rock. Like a rock that is so heavy it can't be moved so is Christ. I choose to be anchored in Christ because I know without doubt, that I can trust and depend on Him never having to worry He may reject, hurt, abandon, or disappointment me. I choose to be anchored to Christ knowing that in Him I have hope and His freely given, precious gift of eternal life to be spent in Heaven with Him, and my loved ones that have passed on before me. I choose to be anchored to Christ because I know that I have in Him a best friend who is there for me twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to listen, and to lead, guide, and direct me. I choose to be anchored in Christ because I have in Him someone who loves me tremendously and unconditionally, someone who shows me mercy, understanding, and kindness even when I don't deserve it. I choose to be anchored in Christ because I have in him someone who forgives me repeatedly, and because he is my rock, my strength, my comfort, my refuge, and my hope.

 Having made the choice to anchor myself to Christ, I feel His presence in the strength, comfort, divine peace, and in the hope that He freely gives me, and none of these things could ever be remotely matched by anything or anybody in this world. From where do you get strength and comfort? In who or what do you place your faith and trust? Wherein lies your hope? Have you placed your hope in Christ as the anchor of your soul? Do you place your trust, and faith in Him, or do you place it in something else that you are in constant fear of losing? I encourage you to seriously consider what or who your are anchored to?

If you have not come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you have the desire in your heart to do so, then I urge you to take action immediately because we are not promised tomorrow. Simply go to God in prayer, ask him to forgive you for all your sins, tell him you believe that Jesus was born, that he died on the cross for your sins, and that he rose again, and ask him to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior.

If you prayed the above prayer and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, congratulations you made the greatest, and most important decision you will ever make. May you forever remain anchored to him.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you leave me a message, and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.